FIRST-CLASS cricket will return to Basingstoke's May's Bounty in August when Hampshire County Cricket Club play Durham in a four-day County Championship match.

The return - which is a victory for The Gazette's Back to the Bounty campaign - will mean county stars, including skipper and Australian legend Shane Warne, will be back in town for a top-level game for the first time since 2000, when Durham were also the opponents.

Up until 2000, first-class county cricket was an annual event at May's Bounty and the highlight of the summer sporting calendar in the town.

The return of the county's stars was largely made possible by behind-the-scenes work by members of the Basingstoke Sports and Social Club, based at May's Bounty.

Keith Harris, cricket section chairman, said: "We had a meeting with the officials from Hampshire last Friday and they confirmed we would be staging the Championship game between Hampshire and Durham, which will start on Wednesday, August 27, and end on Saturday, August 30.

"We are delighted that all the hard work over the past few years has paid dividends. Now we have to make sure it is well supported by the business community, as well as fans in the area, to ensure Hampshire make this an annual part of their fixture list."

Harris added: "I would hope, with all the fuss that happened when the annual game was taken away, we will see all four days well supported. As the game is also in the school holidays, we hope the ground will be packed out, which will make for a great atmosphere."

John Harrocks, chief executive of North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is delighted the county team are returning to May's Bounty.

He said: "It has been good for Basingstoke and the surrounding area. I am sure that both large and small businesses will be keen to use this great opportunity for corporate entertainment.

"This has so many spin-offs for the area and will be a real boost, and it would be even better if it was to become an annual event again."

It was in May 2006 that The Gazette exclusively revealed that Hampshire - who are based at the Rose Bowl near Southampton - were eyeing up a return to May's Bounty.

Last January, a Hampshire CCC spokesman said the possible return to May's Bounty, subject to certain conditions being met, was part of a game plan to return "first-class cricket to our supporters in the outlying areas of the county".

Any business which would like more information on corporate deals for the Hampshire game can contact the Basingstoke Sports and Social Club on 01256 473646.