THE EYES of the sporting world were on East Hampshire on Sunday as the ’Cradle of Cricket’ hosted one of the game’s biggest prizes.

History was made at Broadhalfpenny Down and The Bat and Ball when the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy came to the landmark on the second leg of a county tour.

More than 400 people went along for the occasion with many getting their picture taken with the same trophy that will be lifted at Lord’s later this summer.

This year’s Cricket World Cup is being held in England and Wales with the hosts opening the tournament against South Africa at The Oval on May 30. The trophy, which will be lifted by the tournament’s eventual winners on July 14, is currently on a 100-day tour around the host nation having previously passed through 18 countries, including Nepal and Kenya.

Broadhalfpenny Down and the Bat and Ball were a must on the Hampshire leg of the tour for organisers given the site’s place in the modern history of the sport.

Mike Beardall, chairman of the Broadhalfpenny Down Preservation Trust which oversees the landmark, and his colleagues were bowled over with the response.

He said: "It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying themselves and greeting the trophy at our historic ground.

"We are all looking forward to the World Cup competition, especially the games at Hampshire, and we will be rooting for the home side to lift this splendid trophy this summer."

The event was a mixture of fun and homage with historians David Allan and Stephen Saunders giving visitors a lowdown on the origins of the sport and the role Hambledon played in its development.

The Brigands team, which is based at the ground between Clanfield and Hambledon, gave the crowd a taste of 18th-century cricket by dressing up in period clothing.

There was also another nod to the past as Hambledon Juniors were the fitting winners of an impromptu competition organised by Hampshire Cricket Board coaches, with more than 100 children taking part in the day’s events.

England play a warm-up match against Australia at The Ageas Bowl, home of Hampshire Cricket Club, on May 25 while the West End ground will also host South Africa versus India on June 5.

If you prefer your cricket to be more traditional and at a gentler pace, games will take place at Broadhalfpenny Down every weekend throughout the 2019 season.