Bounty in running for Pro40 (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Bounty in running for Pro40

1:00pm Saturday 28th November 2009 in

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ONE-DAY county cricket could be heading to May’s Bounty next year as Basingstoke Sports and Social club are in early talks with the English Cricket Board about hosting a big game.

The proposed match would be between the ECB Recreational XI and Surrey, with a provisional date set as Sunday, August 22.

Steve Rayner, chairman of Basingstoke Sports and Social Club – which includes Basingstoke and North Hants Cricket Club – is delighted that the club have been approached about hosting a Pro40 game.

He said: “It was great to get a phone call from the ECB and we just jumped at the chance to stage a one-day game here.”

The ground used to be packed out for the one-day games when May’s Bounty staged them before and Rayner feels the crowds would flock back.

He said: “I would hope we would get around 3,000 fans into the ground, and it would be a great day.”

The ECB team is set to be made up of up-and-coming cricketers along with the top players of Minor Counties, looking to make a name for themselves – in this case against the county stars of Surrey.

The return of Hampshire for a four-day game as well next year has not been ruled out, but the club are still in talks about that with officials from the Rose Bowl. May’s Bounty has staged a Hampshire County Championship game for the past two seasons.