Ashes: MCG Test to have 85% fan attendance, rest will have full attendance
The coronavirus pandemic has widened the gap between the sport and fans since last year. However, based on the situation, the authorities have been inviting bumper crowds to stadiums. Not all international fixtures saw crowds but only on certain important events, fans turned up in numbers to watch the game.
Recently, the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and New Zealand witnessed so many fans at The Rose Bowl in Southampton. Meanwhile, in the latest development, it has been confirmed that Cricket Australia has planned to invite bumper crowds for the Ashes Tests.
It is said that Ashes Tests are expected to have 100% crowd capacity barring the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as it will have 85% fan attendance. The 2021-22 international season in Australia is expected to be one of the biggest ever cricket seasons.
The biggest ever season will see 59 days of the world’s best cricketing events including the inaugural Test batsmen Australia and Afghanistan, the Men’s Ashes series, Women’s Ashes against England, the multi-format Women’s series against India. After that, there will be Men’s ODI and T20I fixtures versus New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
“The 2021-22 summer of international cricket promises to be one of the biggest ever. The anticipation around both the men’s and women’s Ashes is building, especially as we have witnessed some incredible Test cricket in the UK. The Ashes rivalry is one of the biggest in world sport, and we hope that conditions will allow as many fans as possible to attend,” said Cricket Australia’s full-time chief executive Hockley in an official CA release.
Tickets will be fully refunded if any venue is required to reduce capacity: Hockley
“In addition to the Ashes, we’re incredibly excited to host international cricket across 11 venues and seven states and territories, ensuring fans all across the country have the opportunity to see the best players in the world. We continue to work closely with venues and governments across Australia to ensure that events are held safely and greatly appreciate their support,” he added.
Cricket Australia also made it clear that the tickets will be fully refunded if suppose any venue is required to cut down capacity due to the ongoing coronavirus epidemic. The Men’s Ashes are expected to begin on December 8 at the Gabba. Hockley also spoke about ticket pricing.
“In the event that capacities are reduced due to government restrictions associated with the pandemic, we of course guarantee fans full refunds.”
