A Closer Look: County Championship

Following this week's 2020 fixture announcement, we're delving deeper into what each competition holds next season.

Quick Out The Blocks

Hampshire will kick off next year's campaign with a home match against the side who finished fourth in this season's competition as Kent visit the The Ageas Bowl on Sunday 19th April.

James Vince's side will then travel to Taunton to face Somerset on Saturday 25th April and they will have fond memories of facing the home-team - Tom Abell's side were the opponents for the final home fixture of the season at the The Ageas Bowl, a match in which Kyle Abbott claimed astonishing figures of 17-86.

A quick trip back home will see Hampshire take on Yorkshire on Friday 1st May before heading up to Edgbaston to face Warwickshire a week later (Friday 8th May).

2019 champions Essex will be the opponents after departing Birmingham as Chelmsford hosts the two sides on Friday 15th May, whilst the final fixture in the opening block of matches will see Hampshire take on Lancashire back at the The Ageas Bowl, beginning on Friday 22nd May.

Championship Cricket Continues Through June & July

As part of efforts made to ensure there is more County Championship cricket played throughout the summer, there are three red-ball fixtures scheduled for June and July with two away and one home game in prospect.

Having faced them on the road in May, Hampshire will face a quick return leg against Warwickshire at the The Ageas Bowl on Sunday 14th June, just over a month on from the first encounter between the two sides.

Newly promoted Gloucestershire will be the next opponents on Monday 29th June at Cheltenham, before Hampshire head to the capital to take on Surrey at the Oval six days later.

Red-Ball Returns To End August

Following the end of the group stages of both the Royal London Cup and The Hundred, two County Championship games are set to be played in August.

Gloucestershire will be Hampshire's opponents for the second time in three first-class matches as The Ageas Bowl hosts the visitors on Sunday 23rd August.

A trip to Canterbury six days later will see Hampshire go in search of victory against Kent on Saturday 29th August.

Silverware In September?

September sees the County Championship reach its climax with results in the three remaining fixtures sure to decide the outcome of many a side's season in Division One.

Hampshire will go head-to-head with newly promoted Northamptonshire on Tuesday 8th September in the first of these matches in the final month. Hampshire will then visit Headingley for the penultimate contest against Yorkshire on Monday 14th September.

A potentially mouth-watering home clash against Somerset at the The Ageas Bowl on Tuesday 22nd September, then rounds off the campaign, one which is sure to be an exciting one for Hampshire Members and supporters.

The best way to catch the Hampshire squad in action all year long next season is with a 2020 Hampshire Cricket Membership and there’s never been a better time to join or renew with Early Bird and Direct Debit discounts now available.

2020 Members also receive access to an exclusive allocation of tickets for next summer’s international fixtures at the The Ageas Bowl all at a discounted price, including for the sold-out England v Australia One-Day International on Tuesday 14th July as well as England’s IT20 against Pakistan on Wednesday 2nd September.

More information on each Membership offering can be found online via the link above, over the phone on 0844 847 1863 or in person at the The Ageas Bowl Ticket Office (Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm).