Jane Cable - All Fixed Up 2008 Fixtures
Jane Cable looks at the 2008 fixture list released Wednesday 14th November
It’s a small light at the end of the tunnel; on a miserable wet November morning, the ECB announces the 2008 domestic fixture list. I have to be honest here – accredited cricket journalists receive it late in the afternoon before – and it is absolute torture to keep the information from even one’s nearest and dearest.
Especially as Hampshire start our challenge for the Liverpool Victoria County Championship at home to Sussex. I can think of no better way to kick start our season and already Wednesday 16th April is firmly marked in my diary. In my mind’s eye I see The Rose Bowl bathed in spring sunlight, an atmosphere of expectancy running around the ground – and I frankly refuse to countenance there being even a chance of rain.
Our first Friends Provident Trophy home fixture is on 2nd May against Somerset. It feels like we haven’t seen our westerly neighbours at The Rose Bowl for some time, and it will be a joy to welcome them back. (We have to wait until 19th August to see them here for Championship cricket).
The Twenty20 carnival kicks off on 11th June, which gives Hampshire members plenty of notice to either book their tickets, or their holidays, depending on personal preference. In the extended version of the competition for 2008 we have five home games between 11th and 25th June. Let’s hope that this year we can make the final – seeing as we are hosting it on 26th July.
A last treat hidden among the long list of fixtures is that The Rose Bowl will host to a four day tour match starting on 8th May, when England Lions play New Zealand. Of course, Hampshire stalwarts will no doubt be following our team to Taunton that week, but for others of us, temptation may lie closer to home.
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