Rose Bowl floodlights installed

The floodlights at The Rose Bowl are ahead of schedule

The Rose Bowl is set to host the first ever Twenty20 floodlit international in the Northern Hemisphere after announcing that the columns and lamps have been successfully installed on site ahead of schedule.

England are set to play a Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka on Thursday, June 15 at the ground.

The Rose Bowl will also host a floodlit One Day International when England return to face Pakistan in the NatWest Series on Tuesday, September 5.

Six giant columns have been erected around The Rose Bowl reaching 30 metres in height. Each of the six columns has a bank of 50, 2KW lamps producing in excess of 2000 Lux at the crease.

They are specially designed to reduce light spill away from The Rose Bowl and provide the best conditions for players and spectators.

The stage is set for an historic day and night of summer sporting action. Thursday, June 15 will be a sporting extravaganza as the programme includes two international sporting events.

Following an afternoon Twenty20 match, when Hampshire take on the PCA Masters captained by former Hants skipper Robin Smith, the World Cup football match between England and Trinidad and Tobago will be shown live on the big screen.

Then it will be lights, cameras, and action for the International Twenty20 spectacular.

The state-of-the-art floodlights have cost in excess of £500,000 and represent another significant development at The Rose Bowl.

Managing Director, Glenn Delve, said: "The floodlights are a substantial investment in both Hampshire and English Cricket. This is a fantastic facility that allows spectators to watch the game at a time that's convenient for them."