Lord’s Cricket Ground has been allowed to fill full capacity for the second ODI between England and Pakistan on 10 July. The decision came after the venue was selected in the UK government’s Event Research Programme (ERP).
This will be the first time since September 2019 that an international game will be played in front of a packed stadium in England.
The ground’s website confirmed the development:‘We have been in consultation with Public Health England and our local Safety Advisory Group on the arrangements for the match and we are pleased to confirm that we have been granted permission to operate at 100% seating capacity for this match, with the implementation of a number of risk reduction measures.’
Spectators aged 11 or older have to show either proof of a recent negative Covid-19 lateral flow test, or proof of two vaccinations. They can also furnish proof of natural immunity via a positive PCR test result within the last 180 days to enter the stadium. While they will be encouraged to wear masks while moving around the stadium, there will be no social-distancing requirement.
Last week, ECB had announced that Edgbaston will be allowed to fill 80 percent of its capacity for the third England-Sri Lanka ODI on 13 July.
Fans have returned to watch international games in England over the last month. Around 17,000 attended each of the first three days of the second Test match between England and New Zealand at Edgbaston. Under the government’s regulation, it was 20-25 percent of stadium capacity.
From 18 to 23 June,.the World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and England also saw a large number of crowds cheering for their respective countries inside the Rose Bowl in Southampton.