Hampshire County Cricket Club begun on Hampshire's long-awaited new ground. The realisation of this move almost led the club to financial ruin, as encouragement from financial partners Sport England and the hiring of architect Sir Michael Hopkins had led the then part-time voluntary committee running the club to lose control of the budget. In 2000 Australian great Shane Warne was signed as the club's overseas player. The 2000 County Championship was to be the last season that Hampshire would play at the County Ground Southampton before they moved in 2001 to the new Rose Bowl ground just outside Southampton. 2001 also saw current club
1993 English cricket season against county opposition. 1993 English cricket season The 1993 English cricket season was the 94th in which the County Championship had been an official competition. The highlight was the dramatic arrival on the English scene of Shane Warne and his remarkable "Gatting Ball". Australia, led by Allan Border, now had a very strong team and won the Ashes series 4-1. Mike Gatting made amends on the domestic scene as he led Middlesex to another Britannic Assurance County Championship. The Zimbabwe national cricket team made a short tour of England in August and September. They played two limited overs and three