Gloucestershire will host a Twenty20 international between England and Sri Lanka in 2011.

The news is a huge boost for the Nevil Road club, who are keen to retain international cricket in Bristol for years to come.

Gloucestershire hosted England's comprehensive 50-over win against the West Indies this summer and will entertain England and Bangladesh next June in another one-day international.

But with ever increasing interest in the 20-over game, it is a positive for Gloucestershire CCC that they have been chosen for such a high profile fixture.

Chief executive Tom Richardson said: "We are really pleased to be allocated this Twenty20 international versus Sri Lanka in 2011.

"These Twenty20 matches are very entertaining and very popular and are almost certainly going to increase in quantity in the future."

Sri Lanka can boast some of the genuine stars of the world game. Not only do they have world record wicket-taking off-break bowler Muttiah Muralitharan, but they have the man who will take his mantle as the No 1 spinner – Ajantha Mendis.

And with the bat there is captain Kumar Sangakarra and his predecessor Mahela Jayawardene along with promising all-rounder Angelo Mathews and distinctive paceman Lasith Malinga.

However, Richardson warned that the future of international cricket in Bristol could only be guaranteed if plans to re-develop the County Ground and increase capacity to 20,000 went ahead.

"We would hope to host games in 2012, 13, 14 and 15 but that is entirely dependent on the re-development," he said.

Gloucestershire recently revealed revised plans for the changes to Nevil Road after extensive public consultation.