CRICKET fans keen to see the best international players will be flocking to the Rose Bowl from tomorrow, as the ICC Champions Trophy gets under way in the county.

Hampshire's ground has been chosen to stage five matches - including a semi-final - of the tournament, and the first being played at the Rose Bowl is tomorrow's exciting India versus Kenya clash.

Some 6,500 extra seats have been added to the capacity, bringing it to 16,000 in anticipation of a successful and well-supported event.

All 10 Test-playing countries will be competing in the 12-nation tournament, which started yesterday with England playing Zimbabwe at Edgbaston - a venue that, along with the Oval, is a host ground.

England's mouth-watering clash with Sri Lanka is one of the four qualifying matches booked for the county's head-quarters - and a partisan home crowd is sure to cheer on Michael Vaughn's side.

The Rose Bowl fixtures are: Saturday, September 11: India v Kenya; Monday, September 13: Australia v USA; Wednesday, September 15: West Indies v Bangladesh; Friday, September 17: England v Sri Lanka.

The semi-final is taking place on Wednesday, September 22, and the tournament ends with the final at The Oval on September 25.

Both the Australian squad - which includes Hants players Michael Clarke and Shane Watson - and Indian team had their first practice sessions at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday afternoon.

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove is looking forward to the Rose Bowl hosting their five fixtures.

He said: "I think being awarded England's match against Sri Lanka, followed by a semi-final, really is the icing on the cake.

"It means our magnificent ground is now recognised as a top venue on the world stage.

"We've come a long way in a short space of time since playing our first senior match on the ground less than three years ago.

"This honour truly reflects the enormous efforts of everyone who has been involved in its development."

Tickets have been selling fast well in advance.

Anyone interested in attending any of the matches can book online at www.rosebowlplc.com