Edgbaston to host spectators in pre-season friendly as part of government pilot programme

Warwickshire’s pre-season friendly against Worcestershire, which begins on July 27, will follow Surrey and Middlesex’s warmup match at the Kia Oval among a number of events aimed at testing guidance designed to enable the return of fans

Edgbaston will be the second county cricket ground to pilot the safe return of spectators.

Warwickshire’s pre-season friendly against Worcestershire, which begins on July 27, will follow Surrey and Middlesex’s warmup match at the Kia Oval among a number of pilot events aimed at testing government guidance designed to enable the return of fans to elite sports events, with stadia having been closed to spectators since the coronavirus outbreak in March.

A maximum of 1,000 spectators will be allowed per day as part of the pilot. And while the Kia Oval will host supporters on both days of the two-day friendly, Edgbaston will welcome spectators on the second day only.

The government announced the pilots to stress-test its guidance on the return of fans to elite sports events in order to build up to and prepare for the full, socially distanced, return of sporting events from the beginning of October.

Neil Snowball, ECB managing director of county cricket and former chief executive at Warwickshire, said: “We’re all looking forward to the resumption of county cricket and are pleased these friendlies will be among the first to pilot a return of spectators.

“There is still a lot of work to do, but these are important steps in testing the government guidance and informing how we can ensure supporters can return safely to cricket grounds.”

Sports minister Nigel Huddleston added: “It’s brilliant news that supporters will be welcomed back to Edgbaston for Warwickshire v Worcestershire as part of the pilot series.

“Many of us have felt the void of being unable to go and watch live cricket during lockdown, so I am pleased that we are moving forward with our plan to help sports venues reopen their doors to fans.”

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