HAMPSHIRE cricket could be welcoming England to the Rose Bowl next summer - providing the one-day international between South Africa and Zimbabwe is a success off the field.

The Rose Bowl stages the first ODI of its three-year life on Thursday July 10 in what is the final game of the NatWest Triangular Series before the final at Lord's two days later.

Hampshire have already sold over 5,000 tickets for the match and are predicting another Rose Bowl sell-out less than a month after a record attendance for the Twenty20 Cup opener against Sussex.

With Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove desperate to bring Test match cricket to Southampton, the NatWest match will play a crucial role in determining what future international matches the ground is awarded.

ECB events manager David Clarke, the man responsible for co-ordinating the NatWest series, said: "This is an important match for Hampshire.

"We are delighted to be staging an international match there and it's reward for all the hard work Hampshire Cricket has done in building such an excellent venue.

"Hampshire deserve this match."

But just because the Rose Bowl has been included in the 2003 international fixture list, that doesn't mean the south coast public are guaranteed top class cricket every year.

"It doesn't automatically follow Hampshire will always get international games," explained Clarke. "There are lots of other grounds being brought up to a good standard and all keen to host internationals.

"When the game takes place at the Rose Bowl we will be looking behind the scenes to see what the infrastructure is like."

What has happened in the past is that new grounds on the NatWest series fixture list have been allocated the 'nueutral' match - one not involving England - and, providing it's been a success, have hosted England the year after.

"The reason we will be looking at the Rose Bowl's infrastructure," said Clarke, "is that we'll need to know if it can deal with the 15,000 crowd that is the minimum you can expect to watch an England one-day international."

Clarke was at the Rose Bowl for the Twenty20 opener that attracted a sun-drenched crowd of around 9,000 on June 13.

"That was a really good event," he said. "Hampshire gave us a superb start to the Twenty20 Cup. It's now a matter of record that that led to the competition being well received around the country."

Hampshire Cricket managing director Nick Pike said: "This game will put the Rose Bowl in the international spotlight and is proof of the vision, hard work and enthusiasm that is making us one of the country's leading sports venues.

"We are really looking forward to becoming part of the international cricket scene."

With allocated seating, advance purchase of tickets for the match - which features former Hampshire player Heath Streak captaining Zimbabwe - is advised.

They cost £25 for adults and £12.50 for under-16s and may be bought from 0870 243 0291.

The ticket office will be open from Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and park and ride facilities will be available on July 10 from Junction 8 of the M27.

Four hospitality packages are also available that feature priority seating and dining, starting at £75 + vat per person.

Further details on the hospitality packages are available from Carol Heywood on 023 8047 2009.