Crowds of 2,500 allowed at Edgbaston and the Oval for start of Bob Willis Trophy

Up to 2,500 fans will be allowed in to the first two days of Bob Willis Trophy action at Edgbaston and the Kia Oval as the phased return of live sporting crowds continues.
Both grounds were selected to host pilot events this week, with 1,000 spectators taking in Surrey’s friendly against Middlesex on Sunday and the same number welcomed at Warwickshire’s match against Worcestershire on Tuesday.
Now the Government’s guidelines will be tested with even more people in attendance, with the capacity lifted by more than double on August 1-2, when Surrey and Middlesex meet again and the Bears take on Northamptonshire in the new first-class competition.
Neil Snowball, managing director of county cricket at the England and Wales Cricket Board, said: “We’re all excited about the start of the county cricket season, and of course we all miss not being able to go and watch as we normally would.
“These two pilots are an important step in testing the Government guidance and ensuring we can safely open our grounds again.”
No fans have been allowed in to England’s bio-secure Test series against the West Indies and that looks likely to be the case for the remainder of the international summer, which takes in tours from Ireland, Pakistan and Australia.
Latest
-
England
England batter Harry Brook believes he is a more powerful hitter than in 2022
Brook was the star performer during day one of England’s Test warm-up against a New Zealand XI in Hamilton.
-
England
Harry Brook smashes 97 as England pile on runs in New Zealand warm-up clash
The tourists racked up 465 all out in just 69.2 overs.
-
England
Harry Brook hits nine sixes en route to 97 as England start New Zealand tour
Captain Ben Stokes opted not to take the field, allowing Ollie Pope to lead the side instead.
-
Women's Cricket
England quartet enter WPL auction at top £50,000 base price
Nat and Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone and Danni Wyatt are among 24 players at the maximum reserve.
-
England
England spinner Jack Leach ‘having too much fun to get ill now’
The Somerset spinner was hospitalised the last time he toured New Zealand with England.
-
Women's Cricket
Sarah Glenn hopes aggressive mindset helps England do ‘something really special’
Jon Lewis’ squad play their final warm-up against New Zealand in Cape Town.
-
England
Michael Vaughan set to be only charged individual to appear at racism hearing
A hearing has been confirmed to take place between March 1 and 9.
-
New Zealand
Kyle Jamieson hoping for more exciting cricket as Brendon McCullum returns to NZ
England face New Zealand in a two-Test series.
-
Australia
Australia T20 captain Aaron Finch retires from international cricket
The 36-year-old skippered Australia in 76 T20 internationals, more than any other men’s player.
-
England
On this day in 2017: Sir Alastair Cook steps down as England Test captain
Cook’s 59 Tests in charge made him the nation’s longest-serving captain at the time.