ECB confirm three 2025 internationals for Utilita Bowl
By Connor Steel
HAMPSHIRE CRICKET have announced that the Utilita Bowl will be hosting three ‘marquee’ international games in the summer of 2025 after the English Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed their fixture calendar; which lists scheduled series for their men / women sides versus Zimbabwe, West Indies, India and South Africa at home across three different formats.
The men’s side will be involved in two of these three fixtures in Southampton; first playing versus West Indies as part of their Vitality International Twenty-20 series on June 10 (Tuesday) starting at 6:30pm. They will also play in the One Day International against South Africa on September 7 (Sunday) from 11am; with both the games likely to be broadcast live.
Meanwhile the women are set to showcase their talents at the Utilita Bowl when they host India Women in an One Day International fixture on July 16; which is due to begin at 1pm and be part of a three game series. It follows a successful day in Southampton on July 6 as they played New Zealand in a Twenty-20 tie; getting a win to delight the sold out gate.
Although no test matches are planned to be hosted by the Utilita Bowl in 2025, it marks a ‘new allocation’ of high profile matches running until 2031 with the ground hosting no fewer than ‘nineteen internationals’. This includes being 1 of five host venues for a 2027 men’s Ashes Test match and women’s Ashes Test match to be held during the summer of 2031.
The stadium has a continuing track record for hosting test matches and has hosted many five day matches over recent years which included hosting the England men’s side during a ‘heavily affected’ summer of 2020 due to Covid-19 rules. Across the period the Utilita Bowl was used for three matches against West Indies and Pakistan as a bio-secure space.
Fans are encouraged to register their interest for these three fixtures online and a public ballot is due to open from next Thursday (August 29); with tickets expected to sell out very quickly. Readers can further read quotes by the Utilita Bowl CEO, David Mann, on the Hampshire website; whilst the ECB’s summer schedule may be explored via the BBC article.
PICTURED BY ALAMY (2XG3GFF): The Utilita Bowl hosts the England Women against New Zealand match on July 6.
