A HAMPSHIRE Cricket League match will start at 8.30am on Saturday so players can watch England’s World Cup quarter-final against Sweden.

Calmore’s 3rd XI have brought forward their match against Parley 2nd XI in the Regional One South West division by five-and-a-half hours.

It means the 42-over match at Southampton Sports Centre will be finished before England’s first quarter-final tie since 2006 kicks off at 3pm.

The club’s first XI will start their Southern Premier League game at home to Ventnor at 11am to allow time to watch the match.

The Hampshire League published a statement on its website explaining that it was backing changes to the standard 2pm start time.

It said: “As wonderful as it would be to think that this will have no effect on players’ availability and teams’ ability to get sides out, we must be realistic.

“Therefore, in the spirit of common sense and getting cricket played: l You can bring the start time of your match forward as far as you like upon agreement with your opponents. You cannot change the date of the fixture.

"If you do agree an earlier start time, you can elongate the tea break in order to see or listen to some or all of the football. Please ensure that you leave sufficient time to get the game completed; we don’t want matches finishing in the dark if it goes to penalties!

"No reduction of overs will be allowed in the fixture.

"If you are in a division with panel umpires, it is your responsibility to advise them of any changes and confirm that they are still able to stand in such changed circumstances.

“The above can only happen if BOTH TEAMS AGREE.

“If one team is not able to move from the scheduled start time, then no change can be made.”