On This Day: The Rose Bowl Welcomes Its First Ever Competitive Match

Hampshire Cricket's historian Dave Allen takes a look back on timely memorable moments in his ‘On This Day’ series.

Hampshire 2nd XI v Sussex 2nd XI, County Championship: 6th - 9th June 2000

Twenty years ago, today a Hampshire side played their first match at the Rose Bowl in this 2nd XI Championship match against our nearest neighbours.

This, and a later 2nd XI game on the main ground were used to check on conditions and progress at the new ground and this first match attracted a considerable crowd, Hampshire Committee members, representatives from Sport England (including Sir Trevor Brooking) and the media, although this photo of the toss was taken before the official photographers arrived.

Versions were published with the captains Lee Savident and Keith Greenfield in whites – but that was a re-staging of the real event!

Hampshire batted, Jimmy Adams took strike and the first ball (which Jimmy left alone) was bowled by Hampshire-born Billy Taylor, who would later join Hampshire. The home side posted 328 on the first day with scores from Zac Morris (64) and forties from Lawrence Prittipaul, Iain Brunnschweiler and David Jackson. Patrick Spencer, son of John, formerly of Sussex, took 5-42.

Sussex replied with 459 and the ground’s first two centurions were Will House, followed by Greenfield, while Lee Savident took 5-93.

Billy Taylor then destroyed the Hampshire batting, taking 7-34 – only opener Andrew Sexton offered much resistance with 37 and Hampshire, 128 all out, lost by an innings and three runs.