Hampshire have confirmed their intention to take first-class cricket back to Basingstoke in 2008 - subject to ground improvements.

As exclusively revealed in yesterday's Daily Echo, the county want to return to May's Bounty for the first time since 2000 to make the Rose Bowl more available for the staging of concerts and international matches.

Last season, the second XI returned to May's Bounty to play a championship match and Giles White's side will play more games at the home of Basingstoke & North Hants CC during the forthcoming season to give Hampshire the chance to monitor pitch improvements.

A final decision will be made in the autumn during the fixture-planning process.

Hampshire director of cricket Tim Tremlett said: "Hampshire's association with Basingstoke goes back many years.

"The team's track record allied to the tremendous support that they have always received from the local community bodes well for the future when this partnership resumes."

Keith Harris, the chairman of Basingstoke and North Hants CC, said: "The club has always been keen to have Hampshire play at May's Bounty.

"We were disappointed when Hampshire stopped playing at the ground six years ago, but fully understood the reasons behind the decision.

"We are now very pleased that we have been considered as an out ground to host Hampshire matches in the future.

"We have endeavoured to maintain our links with Hampshire Cricket and the main county side and we look forward to watching first XI cricket in Basingstoke once again. It's a positive benefit for the north of the county."