“THE fun is back in t20 cricket.”

That is the view of Hampshire Cricket’s commercial director Stuart Robertson as the county prepares to host Middlesex in front of another 5,000-plus crowd at The Ageas Bowl tonight.

Thanks to Monday’s Michael Carberry-inspired win at Kent, Hampshire are assured of a home tie in the quarter-finals irrespective of whether they win or lose against the Panthers.

Robertson is delighted at the attendances for Hampshire’s four t20 home ties so far against Surrey, Essex, Sussex and Kent.

“This season we have experienced the best crowds for t20 matches at The Ageas Bowl in nearly five years,” he said.

“That’s really helped create an electric atmosphere.”

Robertson believes there are a number of factors behind the attendance increase this summer.

“Firstly, we have marketed the games a lot better,” he explained.

“We have tried to concentrate on promoting the fun and excitement, targeting families and those in the 16-34 age group.

“Also, the weather has been magnificent and that always helps.

“Hampshire are the reigning champions, and we’ve been able to ride on the back of that.

“And the fixtures have also been kind, with a couple of Friday night games and not too big a gap between the games.”

Speaking in the Daily Echo last Friday, Hampshire t20 skipper Dimi Mascarenhas was critical of the fact that this year’s qualifying round has been spread out over more weeks than before.

It will change again next summer, with the t20 competition starting around late May or early June and going through to August, with games predominantly being played on Friday nights.

Mascarenhas does not believe that will help attract the game’s better overseas players to come to England.

But Friday night games have proved popular with fans, as Hampshire’s attendance of more than 9,000 for the visit of Sussex recently proved.

That was Hampshire’s biggest t20 crowd for several years – outside of Finals Day in 2010 – and other games have seen attendances of more than 5,000.

Robertson is also happy with the proposed 2014 format, which will give Hampshire about eight home games – compared to five this year.

The extended programme next summer is in contrast to 2010 and 2011, when 16 group games were shoehorned into a period of just a few weeks.

Quite often counties were playing twice in as many days, and some counties could have three home games in a week – which could end up being quite costly for families.

“This year has been OK,” said Robertson “Next year should be better.

“The fun is back in t20 now after a couple of years.

“We did go a bit too far with the amount of group games that were played.

“Having three home games in a short space of time was not right.

“But Friday nights should be popular.

“You are trying to find the ideal time for people to come along after work or school, and you don’t want to be finishing too late.

“We’ve got the floodlights, so 7pm on a Friday is a great time to play.”

Robertson also believes several off-field events have helped create a party atmosphere at The Ageas Bowl for t20 games recently.

A hot-tub pitchside has been a popular competition prize, while there has been pre and post-match music.

Tonight’s entertainment will be provided by a south coast-based military wives choir, while previous visitors have included Steel Bands and a Bob Marley tribute act.

Hampshire, meanwhile, will find out tonight who they will host in the quarter-finals when the draw is made live on Sky.

Hampshire members, debenture holders and Royals fans who have already attended one or more t20 group matches this season – including tonight’s game against Middlesex – will be given a priority booking period when tickets go on sale tomorrow for the quarter-final.

“We really wanted to reward those who have helped create that atmosphere already and that’s why we have offered them this priority booking period,” said Robertson.

Tickets will go on general sale from 9am on Friday morning.

Adult tickets will be £20 in advance (up to 48 hours ahead of the match) and £25 after that point. Under-16s will be £5.

Members’ discounted prices will be £18 in advance, and £23 after that.

Members will also be able to bring up to three non-member guests into the Members’ area. Tickets are £23 in advance, and £28 after that.

Hampshire’s capacity for the quarter-final will be about 10,000, and Robertson is confident the tie will be a sell out.