THE SOUTHERN Electric Premier League will help Hampshire warm up for this season's Twenty20 campaign.

An SEP team will play the full Hampshire side in two 20-over matches next week, immediately before the county launches its Twenty20 Cup challenge against Essex at Chelmsford on Friday week (July 2).

They play at Bournemouth Sports Club's Chapel Gate ground at Hurn next Tuesday (June 29), then the following evening at the BAT Sports Club, Totton.

Both matches will start at 6pm, played under strict Twenty20 rules, with the teams wearing coloured clothing and bowling with white cricket balls out of black sightscreens.

With Hampshire's opening three Twenty20 county matches away from home, director of cricket Tim Tremlett hopes large crowds will watch the warm-ups.

"We go to Essex, Surrey and Sussex before we actually play a home Twenty20 game against Middlesex at the Rose Bowl on July 13, so it's an ideal time to grab the public's attention," he said. "The inaugural Twenty20 competiton last summer was a massive success, with games throughout the country attracting huge crowds in wonderful weather.

"Looking at the players the Premier League has at its disposal, we should get some pretty meaningful middle practice," he said.

The Premier League got into the Twenty20 mood with a full scale dress rehearsal against an Overseas XI, drawn from SEPL clubs, in front of a decent-sized crowd at Hursley Park.

"It was a very useful practice session, highly competitive, as you might imagine, between a side of Englishmen and another comprising Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans," said Bournemouth's Richard Scott, who will skipper the Premier League side in next week's Twenty20 matches against Hampshire.

"The great thing was that everyone wanted to play and all 22 players were really up for it throughout."

The Premier League team won by seven wickets with four balls of the match to spare after the SEPL Overseas XI had posted 146-4 in 20 overs.

Portsmouth's Eastern Province left-hander Carl Bradfield (47), Bashley-Rydal all-rounder Shawn Gillies (43) and Gosport Borough's Ryan Hale (24) got most of the runs, with BAT's Damian Shirazi taking 2-34 for the Premier League.

Former Hampshire opener Jason Laney fell cheaply when the Premier League replied, but Scott underpinned the run chase, hitting a crucial 54 and sharing key partnerships with David Banks (40) and Lee Savident (28 not out).

The Premier League will announce its side to play against Hampshire on Friday.

"We've chosen a squad of 14 players for the two matches, but obviously need to check that everyone is available to play before we publish the teams," Scott added.

The Premier League is anxious to make both the Bournemouth and BAT evenings family affairs, and will only be making a modest admission charge.

"We want parents to bring their children along for a good night's entertainment and to have the opportunity of meeting some of the Hampshire stars in relatively informal surroundings," he added.

Admission charges for both games are £5 (adults) and £2 (children), with part of the proceeds going to the Howzat! Appeal.

"People will be able to pay at the gate on the night, but if they want to buy tickets in advance, then they should contact the Hampshire Cricket ticket office at the Rose Bowl," Scott explained.

Full refreshment facilities will be available on both grounds and car parking is free.

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