Hampshire cricket officials have completed a deal to host THREE one-day internationals at the Rose Bowl over the next four seasons.

A round-robin match between South Africa and Zimbabwe has already been confirmed for July 10, 2003.

And now four more international sides are set to play at the Rose Bowl by 2006 after a staging agreement deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board was signed.

The other two games are also 'neutral' fixtures.

West Indies v New Zealand is likely to be played at West End in 2004 and in 2006 Pakistan v Sri Lanka is the probable fixture.

If all goes well, the staging agreement provides the potential for upgrading to England matches.

Managing Director Nick Pike said: "This is really excellent news for the Rose Bowl and cricket enthusiasts in the south.

"We're very proud of our facilities and the ground but to receive such an obvious endorsement from the ECB so early in our development is exceptional."

Chairman Rod Bransgrove, pictured said: "We're obviously delighted. There is the potential after two years to extend the agreement for a further two years but that is dependent on our performance in staging and selling the existing fixtures."

Meanwhile, tickets for the South Africa v Zimbabwe match go on sale to non-members on Monday, January 6.

The Rose Bowl ticket office will be open from Monday-Friday (9am 5pm) but tickets can also be ordered over the phone on 0870 2430291, by email on tickets@rosebowlplc.com or by post to the Rose Bowl, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, SO30 3XH.

You can also leave an out of hours phone message on 023 80472002.