The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has today confirmed that The Rose Bowl, home of Hampshire Cricket, will be the venue for a minimum of three One-Day International matches over the next four years.

The Staging Agreement, signed today between the ECB and Hampshire Cricket, covers the seasons from 2003 to 2006. In addition to the Zimbabwe versus South Africa One-Day International being played on Thursday, 10th July, 2003, a further two ODIs have been given the go-ahead. Provisional plans are for the West Indies to play New Zealand in 2004 with Pakistan versus Sri Lanka in 2006.

The ECB's decision to allocate these highly prestigious matches to The Rose Bowl will bring International cricket to the South coast on a regular basis. It is also understood that the ground is being considered as an appropriate and possible venue for other significant matches over forthcoming seasons.

"This really is excellent news for The Rose Bowl, cricket enthusiasts and the south." said Nick Pike, managing director. "Naturally, we are very proud of both our facilities and the ground at The Rose Bowl, but to receive such an obvious endorsement from the ECB so early in our development, is really exceptional."

Tickets for The Rose Bowl's first One-Day International will go on sale to the general public on Monday, 6th January, 2003. Tickets may be obtained by telephone (ticket office: 0870 243 0291), by e-mail (tickets@rosebowlplc.com), post (The Rose Bowl, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, SO30 3XH) or in person. The ticket office is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm, with an out-of-hours phone message service on 023 8047 2002.

For further information please contact Nick Pike, Hampshire Cricket 07949 272748 or John Read, ECB 07774 476391.

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