Smith leads PCA Masters

Robin Smith will face his former side Hampshire

Former England international Robin Smith will skipper a Professional Cricketers’ Association Masters team against his former side Hampshire as a warm-up to England’s NatWest Twenty20 International against Australia at The Rose Bowl on Monday.

Hampshire’s current captain, Shane Warne, and the rest of his squad will be facing Smith and his team of experienced former internationals and England Academy players, including Chris Cairns, Devon Malcolm and Chris Lewis.

The match is the second game in the Taylor Wessing Masters Series, with the PCA Masters also taking on Australia in the first game of their Ashes tour at Arundel on Thursday June 9.

Gates on Monday open at 11am and the PCA Masters match will be played between 1.30 and 4.15pm.

Hampshire’s managing director Nick Pike said: “June 13 will be a truly memorable day for The Rose Bowl and we are delighted to be welcoming not only the England and Australian teams but also some of the past-masters of the game.

“The PCA Masters match is a great way to begin the day and we are encouraging our sell-out crowd to arrive early to enjoy every moment.”