Hampshire hope Ageas Bowl will host 2019 World Cup games

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove says the Ageas Bowl will be negotiating to host matches at the 2019 World Cup.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are due to enter into staging agreements with 10 venues once this month's Champions Trophy is concluded.

And Bransgrove is hopeful the ground, which is undergoing a £38.5m redevelopment, will be selected.

Bransgrove told BBC Radio Solent: "We've set out to be recognised for every major competition in the future."

He added: "And the future World Cup in 2019 is one of those competitions."

The revamp will include the construction of a four-star hotel, conferencing and hospitality facilities as well as a new media centre.

Work is due to be completed in time for England's next Test match at The Ageas Bowl against India in 2014.

And Bransgrove says that the summer of 2019 could be a busy one for the West End venue, with the prospect of an Ashes Test in addition to potential World Cup matches.

"In the same year [2019] we also have an Ashes tour," he said. "I'm very keen we remove this monkey from our back of being the only Test venue that has never been allocated an Ashes Test match, so we have a lot to fight for over the next few months."

Back in 1999 when England last hosted the cricket World Cup, two matches were played at Hampshire's old ground at Northlands Road in Southampton.