 The Rose Bowl will install new drainage in the winter of 2009 |
Hampshire fans and other visitors to the Rose Bowl are set to see more cricket from 2010. Next winter, a grant of �600,000 from the England and Wales Cricket Board will be used to improve drainage. Head groundsman Nigel Gray told BBC Radio Solent: "The new system will allow us to play late in the day on rainy mornings. "In addition, I wouldn't expect to lose a subsequent day after a full day's rain," he added. Two relaid playing strips from last winter will be used for the first time next summer, although not for the one-day international between England and Australia next September.  | 606: DEBATE |
"We'll probably play a championship match and a one day game on them to help bed them in slowly," said Gray. "We'll see how they play and see what reaction we get from the relaying. "The ODI will be played on the same wicket that was used for last year's Twenty20 finals day. "Two more pitches have been dug up and re-laid during the autumn and the plan is to do the same each winter until the whole square is re-laid. | When the outfield work is completed, play will be possible on days when in the past that hasn't been the case Rose Bowl head groundsman Nigel Gray |
"We have 20 playing strips on the whole square and relaying pitches does not affect our capacity to host matches." Hampshire have played at the Rose Bowl since 2001 and it currently has a seating capacity of 10,000, extending to 20,000 for internationals. "The new pitches will lie about an inch above the rest of the outfield allowing water to drain of the square better," added Gray. "When the outfield work is completed next winter, we will have a fast-draining ground and play will be possible on days when in the past that hasn't been the case."
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