Edgbaston to host 80 percent capacity for Pakistan ODI
The third ODI between England and Pakistan at Edgbaston next month will be permitted an 80 percent capacity crowd, in the latest steps of a government pilot scheme geared towards the return of full stadiums in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.
The match, a day-night contest on July 13, is set to be held in front of a 19,000 crowd, which would make it the best attended cricket match in the UK since the start of the pandemic.
The news comes after 70 percent capacity crowds were permitted at Edgbaston for the recent second Test between England and New Zealand - which amounted to 60,000 fans over the four days of the contest. On this occasion, however, the scheme will be extended to Under-16s, who were excluded from the last round of trials.
"It's fantastic for sport in the West Midlands that so many cricket fans will be able to enjoy another blockbuster fixture in England versus Pakistan at Edgbaston," Stuart Cain, Warwickshire's chief executive said.
"The recent Test match gave us a fantastic opportunity to build a new model for large scale sporting events and I'm pleased to see elements of this first trial being carried forward for the Pakistan match.
"Technology played a big part in this and we will again focus on using this as a way of creating a safe environment whilst enhancing Edgbaston's reputation as one of the best atmospheres in world cricket."
That reputation took a dent last week following a large-scale pitch invasion at the end of Birmingham Bear's defeat to Derbyshire in the Vitality Blast, an incident that was blamed on a student promotion that got out of hand.
Cain branded the scenes at that event as "disgraceful", adding that the club would seek to ban those responsible for life.
To secure their attendances for the Pakistan ODI, spectators aged 11 or older will be required to show a negative Covid lateral flow test result, or proof of two vaccinations (first and second dose) at least 14 days before the fixture.
Any ticket purchasers who no longer wish to attend the match can request a refund via an online form at the club's website, although all such requests must be made before the deadline at 4pm on Thursday, July 1.