Rose Bowl to host inaugural Twenty20 international

The Rose Bowl has been selected as the venue for the first ever Twenty20 international fixture, sponsored by NatWest, as England take on Australia at the Southampton venue on Monday June 13 2005.

The choice of The Rose Bowl follows the enormously successful launch of the Twenty20 Cup in 2003 which attracted the biggest crowd in the history of Hampshire Cricket.

The prospect of international cricket’s old adversaries, England and Australia, pitching head to head in the first international Twenty20 match is expected to create an enormous demand for tickets when they go on sale.

“This is further recognition of The Rose Bowl as one of the world’s top emerging International venues,” said chairman, Rod Bransgrove.

“It proves that The Rose Bowl’s modern design delivers fantastic spectator viewing and atmosphere along with excellent health and safety facilties.

"Last year the Twenty20 format proved a great success with young and old, men and women alike – moving on to the international stage will take this new form of cricket to another level.”