Sophia Gardens has had new floodlighting installed this year

The Ashes winners will take on Pakistan in the first of five NatWest Series one-day matches on Wednesday 30 August.

"We're naturally delighted to be hosting a full England game in Cardiff for the first time," said Mike Fatkin, Glamorgan chief executive.

"It's a sign that we're making great progress as an international venue."

Sophia Gardens has played host to full international one-day matches before, as well as a Wales XI having played against England in three one-day warm-up matches prior to the NatWest Series in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

But this will be the first time that England have played a full international at Sophia Gardens.

Although Glamorgan's Test paceman Simon Jones has not been a regular in England's one-day side, there is every chance he could play at his home ground.

The new floodlights will give us an edge over many other venues Glamorgan chief executive Mike Fatkin Pakistan in England 2006: Full fixture list

"I'm confident that there will be a huge demand for the game, particularly following the excitement which surrounded England's superb win in the recent Ashes series over Australia," Fatkin added.

"It is a great story for both the city, and Wales as a nation, that yet another major international sporting event is to be held in Cardiff.

"The new floodlights will give us an edge over many other venues, but we recognise that England against Pakistan is a much higher profile match than those we have staged over the last six years."

Sophia Gardens has previously hosted Australia v Pakistan in 2001, Zimbabwe v South Africa in 2003, West Indies v New Zealand in 2004 and Australia v Bangladesh in 2005 - as well as staging the ICC Cricket World Cup match between Australia and New Zealand in 1999.