HAMPSHIRE will introduce family attractions to The Ageas Bowl in a bid to sell more tickets for the third Test between England and India.

Extra seating has been made available to cater for demand on the first day (Sunday, July 27), which will increase the ground’s capacity to 19,000.

But Hampshire still have many tickets available for days two and three, due partly to the unique scheduling of the ground’s second five-dayer, which will be England's first home Test to begin on a Sunday.

Hampshire are hoping to capitalise on the fact the match will be played at the beginning of the summer holidays.

Commercial director Stuart Robertson said: “The Sunday sales are going great but we’ve only sold around half the tickets for days two and three, which aren’t natural days for cricket fans to watch Test cricket.

“People are used to watching the second and third days of a Test on a Friday and Saturday so we need to be innovative – and we want more families to come to Test cricket.

“Bearing in mind it’s the school holidays we want to make the Test experience more family-friendly without detracting from the cricket for the purist.

“It can be difficult for children to maintain concentration for six hours so we’ll also have plenty for them to do.

“We’ve consulted widely with other attractions in the area, undertaken research and also spoken directly to some of our junior members to ask them what entertainment they would like to see.

“The results have been insightful and I think both parents, but especially children, will be excited with the kinds of entertainment and experiences we’ll have on offer.

“There’ll be climbing walls, cricket coaching, speed bowling nets, stilt walkers, magicians and laser quest.

It’ll be a great way to start the summer holidays.”

Adult tickets are available from £45- £65, while Under-16s are £10 each (more information at ageasbowl.com).