Hampshire reveal Basingstoke return

May's Bounty in Basingstoke will again host first-class cricket in 2010 when Hampshire face champions Durham

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Hampshire will take on champions Durham at May’s Bounty, Basingstoke, in their LV= County Championship game starting on August 3.

Hampshire returned to May’s Bounty in 2008 having played all of their first-class fixtures at the Rose Bowl since it opened in 2001.

This will be the third consecutive season that Hampshire have played in the north of the county, having previously beaten Durham by two wickets in a thrilling encounter two years ago.

Reigning champions Durham have lost on both their visits to May’s Bounty, with Shane Warne taking eight wickets in Hampshire’s innings victory in 2000, before an unbeaten 94 from Sean Ervine propelled Hampshire to victory in a tight encounter in 2008.

Hampshire’s director of cricket Tim Tremlett said: “I am delighted that we are returning to May’s Bounty, where our members and supporters give us such a warm welcome and the team is looking forward to continuing with their impressive winning record over Durham at Basingstoke.”

Basingstoke sports and social club chairman, Steve Rayner added: “We are very pleased to be hosting Hampshire v Durham this season, as well as a second XI game in July.

“We at Basingstoke believe we are the natural choice for Hampshire’s games to be played outside of the Rose Bowl with over 140 years of history and hosting county cricket since the early 1900s.

“We already know we have the support from the people of Basingstoke due to the crowds we have enjoyed over the past two seasons, and the club is committed to continuing the improvement of its facilities and to fully engaging the local council and business community in order to secure a long term future for first-class cricket in Basingstoke.”