Hampshire cricket announce return to Isle of Wight
Last updated on .From the section Cricket
Hampshire will return to the Isle of Wight on 11 June to play their first competitive fixture there since 1962.
The County have not played on the Island for 50 years but will play two T20 matches at Newclose as they prepare for their upcoming FL t20 campaign.
They will play the PCA Masters XI, a side from the Professional Cricketers Association, skippered by former England wicket-keeper, Paul Nixon.
Ventnor's Danny Briggs and Shanklin's David Griffiths both play for Hants.
Left-arm spinner Briggs, 20, who was awarded his county cap at the start of the season, is the first Island-born player to represent his country.
Briggs is also the youngest England spinner to reach 100 first-class wickets since the legendary Derek Underwood. Griffiths, meanwhile, has taken more than 100 wickets for the club in all competitions.
Hants currently play all their games at the Ageas Bowl on the outskirts of Southampton but have also played one match in Basingstoke for the past two years.
"The whole squad is excited to be going to the Isle of Wight for this match," said Briggs.
"The facilities at Newclose are excellent and I know we're all looking forward to playing in front of the club's considerable following there.
"On top of that, the matches will be an excellent warm-up for the Friends Life t20 competition which starts later that week, so it should be beneficial for everyone."
There will be two 20-overs-a-side matches, with the first beginning at 11:30 BST and the second at 15:20 BST.
