Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak, Hampshire's overseas player in 1995, is backing the Rose Bowl's Test match credentials.

Streak, 29, remembers when the Rose Bowl was a distant dream but against South Africa tomorrow he will be one of the star attractions when the stadium hosts its first one-day international.

The seam bowler will captain his young side against Natwest Series finalists South Africa in front of the Sky TV cameras and a 9,000 plus crowd - the biggest in the Rose Bowl's three-year history.

But eight years ago the £23m stadium at West End seemed a long way off.

"The ground was just an idea then so it's been great to come back and see what I remember as just a video image," recalled Streak, who is now a veteran of 53 Test matches and 166 one-day internationals.

" I remember Mark Nicholas, the captain at the time, being quite involved in getting the whole thing up and running, and it's nice to come here and see it in reality.

"It looks fantastic and it's going to develop into a future Test venue.

"The club were working on getting funding for it when I was here so it's been nice to see the modern venue that it has become.

"In terms of facilities it's as good as the best. A lot of thought has gone into it, it's well planned unlike some of the older grounds.

"There's so much space. The indoor nets are fantastic, the changing rooms have a lot of space and the nursery ground is very good as well.

"It's just good to come to a venue where there are plenty of practice facilities, where you can relax and get on with the game."

As a 21-year-old, Streak took 52 championship wickets for Hampshire at 27.84.

"I was very young so for me it was a huge part of my learning curve and played an integral role in furthering my cricket career and getting me as far as I have," he added.

"Northlands Road was a good ground, a hard one to bowl on, and I have a lot of good memories from then. It's been nice to catch up with some of my old teammates.

"Tim Tremlett was the coach then, Giles White and Raj Maru are still involved, I've seen Adi Aymes around and of course there's Paul Terry, Judgie, Shaun Udal, and Will Kendall.

"Liam Botham (who is now playing rugby for Newcastle Falcons) was my flatmate that season and I caught him at a Bar B Q after the Durham Test match, and also Mark Garaway, who is assisting with the coaching at Somerset when we played down at Taunton."

Bulawayo-born Streak, pictured right, has not played county cricket since that first season with Hampshire - but has hinted that he may return to England next year.

He added: "I certainly enjoyed that season but I could probably give more as a county cricketer now with the experience I've got."

Meanwhile, Streak is preparing to play his first game in Southampton since his one season with the county - he did not play for Zimbabwe against Hampshire in 2000 or in the 16-run defeat at the Rose Bowl last month.

South Africa are already assured of their place in the final against England at Lord's on Saturday despite losing by four wickets against Michael Vaughan's men yesterday.

But Streak insisted: "We're looking forward to a very competitive game.

"Every one- day international is a huge game for us and if we beat South Africa we can go back home and be reasonably happy with two wins from such a young side.

"And I'm sure South Africa will not want to lose to us, they'll be playing with a view to getting ready for the final."