WTC final to be played in front of spectators: Reports

The countdown has begun. We are less than a month away from the World Test Championship Final. The fever has already started to grab the attention of the cricket aficionados. According to the latest development, the marquee clash between the top two ranked Test teams - India and New Zealand - will be held in the presence of 4,000 spectators. 

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Hampshire County Club head Rod Bransgrove confirmed that England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and International Cricket Council (ICC) are mulling on the thought of allowing spectators for the much-awaited clash. 

“I understand 50 per cent of the permitted crowds will be taken by the ICC for its sponsors and other stake holders and we will be selling the rest 2000 tickets. We have already received more than double applications from the fans. It is a high interest game and there is a good demand for it, ” Bransgrove was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz. 

Recently, around 1,500 fans were permitted to attend the county fixture between Leicestershire and Hampshire at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Southampton. The fans were allowed to enter the stadium for the first time since September 2019.

“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, ” he said. 

After completing a two-week quarantine in Mumbai, the Virat Kohli-led team will arrive in the United Kingdom in the first week of June. 

“We are waiting for the Indian team to complete their quarantine in India and arrive here. We are ready to host them, ” Bansgrove further added. 

[Cricbuzz input]