A strong Professional Cricketers Association side has been named for the Hampshire Royals’ Twenty20 warm-up matches on the Isle of Wight on 11 June.

The PCA squad contains eight former England Test players, including skipper Paul Nixon, Surrey batsman Mark Ramprakash, fast bowler Devon Malcolm and all-rounders Alex Tudor and Phil De Freitas.

New Zealand international batsman Lou Vincent will also be playing.

The two matches, which will both take place in one day at Newclose, will provide an excellent warm-up for the Hampshire Royals’ Friends Life t20 campaign which starts on Thursday 14 June at Sussex.

Hampshire’s first home game is against the Middlesex Panthers at The Ageas Bowl four days later.

PCA Team Manager, Paul Prichard said: “We have assembled a strong side because Hampshire are bringing over their first-team squad.

“They’ve stated that these matches will form an essential part of their build-up to the t20 competition and they will be taking them very seriously.”

Head of cricket at Newclose, Hugh Griffiths, said: “With Island stars Danny Briggs and David Griffiths almost certain to be included in the Hampshire squad, it should be a wonderful day’s cricket.”

The match will be the first competitive fixture Hampshire have had on the Island since May 1962.

There will be two 20-overs-a-side matches, with the first beginning at 11.30 am and the second at 3.20 pm.

Admission prices are £10 for adults, £5 for Under 16s (tickets available on the door on the day) and parking at the ground is free.