HAMPSHIRE are gearing up for hosting five matches in this month's ICC Champions Trophy.

The Rose Bowl has been selected to host four group matches and a semi-final in what is the second most important event in international one-day cricket.

India set the ball rolling against Kenya on September 11 followed by Australia v USA (September 13) and West Indies v Bangladesh (September 15). The comes the main attraction - England against Sir Lanka on September 17 in front of an expected 15,000 capacity crowd.

The Rose Bowl will also stage one of the semi-finals on September 22.

Edgbaston and The Oval are the other two venues hosting ICC Champions Trophy matches.

To bring the Rose Bowl's capacity up from its current 9,000 to 15,000 has required 13 aluminium frame grandstands to be erected.

It took six construction workers a fortnight to erect the structures.

The Rose Bowl's record attendance of about 9,000 for Hampshire's Twenty20 tie with Kent this summer will be beaten when England's senior cricketers play in Southampton for the first time.

The new seating is situated mainly around the northern section of the ground on either side of the camera towers with views of the main pavilion.

"This has been one of the biggest changes to the appearance of the stadium and the result is spectacular," said Geoff Cox, director of Project Services.

"I sat in one of the top row seats to test the view and it really is something else.

"You have a wonderful view of the whole Rose Bowl site, as well as of the ground below. I can't wait to see it filled with spectators."

Other changes to The Rose Bowl in anticipation of the Trophy include media facilities for up to 100 press, additional road signage, and accommodation for ICC officials who will be stationed at the ground for a month.

While the south coast has experienced one of its wettest Augusts on record, the forecast for September is much improved.

Tickets can be obtained by telephoning 0876 2430291.