Hampshire field an almost full strength side to meet the Australians in a 3 day match starting at the Hampshire Rose Bowl on Saturday, 28th July.

There are three genuine ommissions from the squad. Wicket-keeper Adi Aymes has a swollen cartiledge and has been advised by the club physician to rest. His place is taken by Iain Brunnschweiler playing only his second first-class match for the county. Alex Morris is still troubled by shin splints and is ommitted. Chris Tremlett is away on England Under 19s duties. The side play three one day internationals against their West Indian counterparts over the weekend.

The twelfth player will be chosen between James Hamblin who has already shown great promise with the NUL team this season, and second eleven leading wicket taker James Schofield, the Blackpool born 22 year old, who learnt much of his cricket in Perth, Australia. Schofield on a summer contract with the club, is yet to make his first class debut for Hampshire.

Tim Tremlett, Hampshire Cricket manager said, "The ECB would like to see counties putting out their best available sides, and this is what we have done. It is only fair to our members and supporters that we try and compete with the best team in the world, and some say the best Australian side of all time".

A large crowd is expected to see the return of Shane Warne and Matthew Hayden to the Rose Bowl, two Australians who graced the colours of Hampshire in recent years.

Hampshire twelve: Derek kenway, Giles White, Will Kendall, Robin Smith (captain), Neil Johnson, Laurence Prittipaul, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Shaun Udal, Iain Brunschweiler (wicket keeper), Alan Mullally, James Hamblin and James Schofield.

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