CIVIC bosses have welcomed the news that the Ageas Bowl will host the men's and women's Ashes.

The announcement was hailed as a "historic moment" when it was made yesterday morning.

The Ageas Bowl will be one of five test venues for the 2027 men’s Ashes series, followed by a women’s Ashes test match in 2031.

Australia will be welcomed to West End after the home of the Hampshire County Cricket Club was awarded 14 men’s internationals and five women’s internationals in the seven-year period.

The announcement has been described as "brilliant news" and a "perfect match" for the local area.

Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, Cllr Keith House, told the Daily Echo: "This is brilliant news.

"The Ageas Bowl is one of the world’s best venues for cricket and The Ashes is one of the world’s best cricket events, so a perfect match for our area to hit lots of boundaries.

"Eastleigh Borough Council has long supported our amazing venue and look forward to welcoming English, Australian and other cricket fans to West End and to spend money in our local community.”

In 2015, the Cardiff Capital Region benefitted from around £24 million when it hosted the SSE SWALEC stages of the first Investec Ashes Test.

The Daily Echo understands that the economic benefit of the event to the local area is set to be explored by bosses.

Hampshire County Cricket Club chairman Rod Bransgrove, who helped seal the deal, said: "This allocation of men’s and women’s international fixtures is a game changer for the prospects of Hampshire Cricket and The Ageas Bowl.

“I should like to thank the ECB and everyone across the game who has participated in an extensive and diligent process which has resulted in, what I believe to be, a fair and equitable distribution of international fixtures across all venues.”

The venue has also confirmed that 2023 will mark the end of Ageas’ 12-year partnership at The Ageas Bowl.