David John Balcombe (born 24 December 1984) is an English former cricketer who played primarily as a right-arm medium-fast bowler. Balcombe spent the majority of his professional career with Hampshire, but also played first-class cricket for Durham UCCE and Kent. In a career which spanned from 2005 to 2014, he took 196 wickets in first-class cricket.

Balcombe was born in the City of London in December 1984. He was educated at St. Johns School in Leatherhead, ^[1] before matriculating to Durham University. There, he played first-class cricket for Durham UCCE, making his debut against Somerset at Taunton in 2005. He played first-class cricket for the university until 2007, making nine appearances. ^[2] He took 17 wickets at an average of 60.41 for the university, including a maiden five wicket haul with figures of 5 for 112 against Durham. ^[3] While studying at Durham, Balcombe also made a single first-class appearance for a British Universities cricket team against the touring Sri Lankans at Fenner's in 2008. ^[2]

Although he had been a member of Surrey's cricket academy, ^[4] it was while playing for Durham UCCE that he was spotted by Hampshire's Giles White, who recommended him to the county. ^[1] Having joined Hampshire in 2006, he made his debut for the county in a Twenty20 match against Middlesex at Southgate in the Twenty20 Cup. ^[5] The following season, he made his first-class debut for Hampshire against Kent in the County Championship, ^[2] in addition to making his debut in List A one-day cricket against Lancashire at Old Trafford in the NatWest Pro40. ^[6] From 2008 to 2010, Balcombe struggled to establish himself in the Hampshire first team, playing seventeen first-class and eight one-day matches in that period. ^{[2] [6]} A back injury during the 2010 season ruled him out for the remainder of that season. ^[1]

During the following season, he was loaned to Kent on a one-month deal in July, ^[7] which was later extended by an additional month. ^[8] Balcombe headed their first-class bowling averages while at Kent, with 33 wickets at an average of 17.81 from five matches, which included four five wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul in a match; ^[3] while at Kent, he also made three one-day appearances, in addition to a single Twenty20 appearance against the touring Indians. ^{[6] [5]} On the back of his performances for Kent, there was speculation he would join the county permanently following his loan deal. ^[9] Ultimately, he returned to Hampshire, ^[10] who had been relegated in his absence. Balcombe also played minor counties cricket for Berkshire in 2011, making a single appearance apiece in the Minor Counties Championship and the MCCA Knockout Trophy. ^{[11] [12]}

Returning to Hampshire, he began the 2012 season by taking career best bowling figures in Hampshire's opening County Championship match against Gloucestershire, with figures of 8 for 71. ^{[1] [13]} In the 2012 season, he took 64 first-class wickets at an average of 26.10, with three five wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul in a match. ^[14] His performances in 2012 established him as the leader of Hampshire's attack. ^[1] Balcombe was a replacement for Danny Briggs in Hampshire's squad for the 2012 Champions League Twenty20, playing in one match against Sialkot Stallions. ^{[5] [15]} However, he was unable to repeat his form the following summer, where hot and dry weather was more favourable to batsman. In 2014, he played just four first-class matches in the 2014 season, ^[2] alongside a single one-day match against Sri Lanka A. ^[6] With opportunities limited at Hampshire, Balcombe opted to signed a two-year deal with Surrey at the end of the 2014 season. ^[16] In 52 first-class matches for Hampshire, he took 141 wickets at an average of 33.27. ^[3] As a tailend batsman, he scored 701 runs at a batting average of 15.57, with two half centuries and a high score of 73. ^[17]

Balcombe did not feature for the Surrey first team during his first year with the county, ultimately deciding to retire from professional cricket to take up a role with the Kevin Pietersen Foundation. ^{[18] [19]}

• David Balcombe at ESPNcricinfo