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
Australian cricket team in the West Indies in 2002–03 Australian cricket team in the West Indies in 2002–03 The Australian cricket team toured the West Indies from April to June, 2003, outside the normal West Indies cricket season, to play for the Frank Worrell Trophy. It was Steve Waugh's last tour overseas and Australia were without Shane Warne who was on a drugs ban and missing Glenn McGrath for two of the Tests through injury. Their absence was compounded by painfully slow pitches, particularly at Bridgetown, and Australia played 5 bowlers in all four Tests. Whilst the West Indies saved face in the last Test and three ODI matches,