Geoff Cox, the Rose Bowl's project director, is ready for the biggest day in the ground's history.

Cox, who has been based at the Rose Bowl since Hampshire moved into their new ground in 2001, and will be working until late tonight to ensure that it is ready for its big day.

He said: "We're very aware of the fact that this is the biggest day in the club's history. The first day of the Twenty20 Cup was one of the busiest we've had and this is going to be another great day.

"We've put in an extra 3,000 seats for this game (bringing the capacity up to 9,999) and we have got a fantastic air conditioned media centre with room for 60 press.

"Marquees have also been put up around the ground and we've got a big screen, as well as a brand new PA system which we always intended to install in time for this match."

In addition to the new £50,000 PA system, 8,500 square metres of tarmac and brick paving and 600 metres of security fencing have also been put into place.

Thirty new speakers will be operated from both the scorers' box and the control room.

The system can be zoned, to allow sound to be directed to specific parts of the ground, or integrated with all existing communication systems, such as in the Pavilion, for a full around-the-ground sound.

The distance around the top of the Rose Bowl is a full kilometre and over the past six months local company Trants Construction Ltd have laid over 400 square metres of tarmac and 400,000 red bricks, plus associated drainage work, to complete the road and the 150 parking spaces that encircle the ground.

Eco-friendly softwoods have been used for the 600 metres of two-and-a-half metre high fencing that has also been installed to assist with security

Cox added: "I've told the staff to just make sure that they enjoy the day.

"We'll be working late on Wednesday to make sure everything is in place but we're on target - we might even have the chance to watch some cricket!"