Around 18,000 spectators will be allowed to attend the second and final Test between England and New Zealand at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, starting on June 10-14.
Warwickshire on Wednesday (May 26) announced that 70% of total Edgbaston ground capacity will be allowed to watch the final Test each day in Birmingham after the match was deemed as the first pilot event within the second phase of the UK Government’s world-leading Events Research Programme.
The pilot event will have fans following all COVID-19 protocols and the program will be used to collect information on the risk of transmission of Coronavirus at mass participation events.
It is being said that the fans only need to wear masks when moving around inside the Edgbaston Cricket Ground for the second Test between England and New Zealand.
The tickets for the first three days of the second England-New Zealand Test have been effectively sold out for many weeks while day four will go back on sale.
The reports suggested that every ticket holder must present a negative COVID-19 result from an NHS Rapid Lateral Flow Test, completed within 24 hours in advance of the day they are attending the Edgbaston Test, and give consent to take part in the program.
Meanwhile, the process has been reportedly agreed by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and supported by Public Health England, the England & Wales Cricket Board, Birmingham City Council, and Edgbaston's own Safety Advisory Group.
Tom Harrison, Chief Executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), stated: “Having crowds back into cricket grounds is so important for the game and for our fans too. The last 15 months have shown just how big a role cricket plays in many people's lives, and we cannot wait to welcome a growing number of fans back to our stadia over the coming months.”
Read Also: ENGW v INDW 2021: Third T20I between England and India women rescheduled to July 14
On the other hand, Stuart Cain, Chief Executive at Edgbaston, stated: “Whilst public health is the priority, the first stage pilots have shown how people can safely start to enjoy the things they love; live sport and music. It will be great to welcome cricket fans to Edgbaston and give the England team a huge boost as nothing beats the atmosphere that crowds create here.”
Cain further added, “Edgbaston is unique as a cricket venue in having such a large stadium footprint, but we also have a vastly experienced operational delivery team, which has hosted many major events and a spectator pilot last summer. We have always been hopeful of featuring in the pilot program and are delighted for the thousands of ticket holders who will now be able to attend.”
He concluded, “The city's authorities have worked with us to make this happen so I would like to thank Cllr Ian Ward and his team for their support and also Andy Street, Mayor, for his help along the way.”
(With ANI Inputs)
