25 Years of The Bowl: Hampshire’s first season at the new ground

The 2001 season marked a truly landmark year for Hampshire County Cricket Club and its new home ground at The Rose Bowl in West End, near Southampton. 

It was the 12th ground used by Hampshire to stage first-class cricket in its 137-year history, and the first new one for 45 years. The last one was Cowes on the Isle of Wight in 1956. Constructed as a purpose-built venue to replace the historic County Ground and attract higher-profile cricket, the stadium hosted its first official season of fixtures in the Benson & Hedges Cup. 

Hampshire played their first first-class match at the ground against Worcestershire from 9–11 May, winning by 124 runs in a very dominant display. Dimitri Mascarenhas scored the first century at the venue, making 104 batting at number 8; Alex Morris had significant match figures of 4-39 and 4-27, establishing early bowling records for the ground. 

Across the season, Hampshire competed in the Second Division of the County Championship, the National League (one-day competition), and the Benson & Hedges Cup, all the time adjusting to the new pitch conditions and new facilities. 

The inaugural summer at The Rose Bowl also saw individual playing milestones. Alan Mullally claimed the first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket at the ground, while Hampshire recorded their largest victory margin, in terms of runs, by beating Nottinghamshire by 338 runs later in the campaign. 

Five different Hampshire batters made first-class hundreds at the new ground: Robin Smith, Neil Johnson, Derek Kenway, Giles White, Adi Aymes and Dimi Mascarenhas. Derek’s 166 against Notts was the highest score, while Murray Goodwin made 195 for Sussex. Only two bowlers took 5 wickets in an innings in a first-class for Hampshire on the ground. Alan Mullaly did it three times, including 8-90 against Warwickshire, while Dimi did it twice. 

With 192 points, Hampshire finished second - behind Second Division Champions Sussex (208 points) - and were duly promoted back to the top division at the first time of asking. The highest partnership for Hampshire on the new ground was a very significant one, 182 for the fourth wicket between Robin Smith and Neil Johnson against Australia. 

In the Benson and Hedges South Group table, Hampshire finished sixth and winless. The first-ever win in a List A game at the new ground also came against the Worcestershire Royals, when the Hawks chased down 183 with two balls to spare, to ensure victory by 3 wickets. 

Hampshire finished 4th in Division 2 of the Norwich Union National Cricket League in 2001 with 9 wins in 16 games. In the first-ever floodlit game, Derek Kenway’s 76 won him the Man of the Match Award for the Hawks against the Sussex Sharks. Bas Zuiderent made a name for himself when he made the first ever hundred on the ground for Sussex on May 7th in the third scheduled home Benson and Hedges Group game. 

6,000 seats were available at the new ground. The Atrium Bar was opened, but not the pavilion, while changing facilities, committee room and hospitality were accommodated in rows of marquees adjacent to the boarded-up pavilion. 

Hampshire beat the Australians for only the second time - the other was in 1912 - when the tourists were dismissed for just 97 on the first day. Alan Mullally took 5-17, while captain Robin Smith made a brilliant 113 in Hampshire’s reply. The dramatic victory came just before the close on the last day with Hampshire famously winning by two wickets.

Although there were no men’s international or high-profile women’s fixtures at the ground in 2001, the successful staging of first-class and List A matches established the venue as a credible home for Hampshire cricket and set the foundation for future international allocations. The season elevated the club’s profile and showcased the potential of The Rose Bowl to host larger events in years to come. 

Hampshire are celebrating 25 Years of The Bowl all year with one of the headline anniversary fixtures taking place on 29 May as Surrey visit Utilita Bowl. Get your Blast tickets now at: https://www.utilitabowl.com/cricket/tickets/