With COVID-19 restriction protocols being gradually lifted in the UK, it is expected that the fans will be back for the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand in Southampton from June 18.
As per reports on Cricbuzz, Hampshire County Club head Rod Bransgrove has confirmed that as many as 4000 fans will be allowed to spectate the WTC final at the Ageas Bowl stadium, which is currently hosting a county game between Hampshire and Leicestershire with 1500 spectators.
“We’re staging a four-day county game from today and for the first time since September 2019 fans were allowed for a cricket match in England. The other county games of this round will begin tomorrow and those games too will see crowds,”
Bransgrove quoted to the website.
Bransgrove also added that England and Wales Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council are allowing as many as 4000 people for the WTC Final, out of which 50 percent of the tickets will be claimed by ICC for its sponsors and stakeholders leaving 2000 tickets to be sold to the public.
The Indian team is expected to fly to the UK on June 2 after a 14-day quarantine period in Mumbai. The team will be quarantined for 10 days in Southampton as well. “We are waiting for the Indian team to complete their quarantine in India and arrive here. We are ready to host them,”
he added.
India are fresh off two significant test series victories over Australia and England and will be raring to go again in the longer format of the game. With several in-form players in their squad, India will look to make their great run of form count in the game that matters the most.
On the other hand, the New Zealand team is already in quarantine at the Hampshire bowl as they gear up to play a two-test match series against England from June 2. It will be a good opportunity for the Kiwis to assess the English conditions ahead of their WTC final clash against India.
