Hampshire's newly-formed Academy side will take its Southern Electric ECB Premier League bow against Sparsholt at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, May 4.

The county is fielding a team made up of fledgling contracted players and academy students in Division 2 of the Premier League next summer.

County Second XI coach Tony Middleton is expected to captain the Academy XI in the 50-over matches.

Admission to all home matches on the Nursery ground will be free.

HAMPSHIRE ACADEMY 2002 FIXTURES:

May - 4: Sparsholt (h); 11: Winchester (a); 18: Rowledge (h); 25: Lymington (a)

June - 1: Easton (h); 8: Hungerford (a); 15: OTs/Romsey (h); 22: US (a); 29: Trojans (h).

July - 6: Sparsholt (a); 13: Winchester (h); 20: Rowledge (a); 27: Lymington (h)

August - 3: Easton (a); 10: Hungerford (h); 17: OTs/Romsey (a); 24: US (h); 31: Trojans (a)