NEWCLOSE Cricket Ground on the Isle of Wight will be hosting the return of the women's pro game — but no one will be there to watch and enjoy it, to the huge disappointment of its trustees.
The Ageas Bowl-based Southern Vipers squad will visit the venue to play an inter-squad warm-up match today (Saturday).
The Vipers, led by coach and former England skipper Charlotte Edwards, are using the opportunity to prepare for the national ECB 50-over competition, the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy, which starts later this month.
The squad is captained by Georgia Adams, who won the player of the competition award last year.
Newclose trustee, Hugh Griffiths, said: 'We are particularly disappointed emerging girls and women cricketers on the Island will be deprived of the opportunity to see top women cricketers in action.
"Being scheduled for Saturday during the early May bank holiday, we had hoped to see a substantial crowd watching the winners of last season’s national women’s competition.
“Hampshire and the Vipers only cross The Solent to play at Newclose because of the outstanding pitches and overall high quality of the ground.
"On a positive note and looking to the future, Hampshire's 2nd XI will play at Newclose in a T20 match against Middlesex 2nd XI on Friday, June 18.
"We’re hopeful we’ll be able to allow a small crowd to watch the day’s play — although that is by no means a certainty.
"More news on that match can be expected in early June.”
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