Five Featured matches bring record crowds to The Rose Bowl

The floodlit match at The Rose Bowl attracted an estimated 6,250 spectators, making it Hampshire Cricket's biggest attendance for a Day/Night game.

This is the fifth feature match to be staged this summer at the venue that has been given the accolade of being `one of England's most beautiful grounds'. Tonight's enthusiastic crowd has swelled total numbers for the five matches to over 30,000, giving an amazing average crowd of 6000 per match.

Figures for the other four feature matches have been recorded as: Twenty20 Cup - 13th June - 8,250; 18th June - 3,000; 24th June - 6,000 and the NatWest Series One Day International - 6821.

"We are naturally delighted by these figures and by the fact that we have attracted so many more people to come and enjoy the spectacle and atmosphere at the Rose Bowl," said Nick Pike, managing director. "With the popularity of this summer's five feature matches, plus our forthcoming pop and classical concerts over the Bank Holiday weekend August, we are definitely on our way to establishing the ground as one of the premier sports and entertainment venues in the south."

In comparison, Hampshire Cricket's old venue at Northlands Road had a seating capacity of 4000, so in only its third year at The Rose Bowl, the club has already achieved a fifty per cent increase in spectators. "This has to be very good news for cricket, and demonstrates that a venue with excellent viewing and facilities plus exciting matches will attract a new and enthusiastic audience to cricket." added Pike.

Ends Issued by: Hampshire Cricket Press Contact: Jane Kerr 07976 549705