MCC chief executive Guy Lavender has warned members of the damage to the club’s global reputation caused by the Lord’s Pavilion being half-empty during the World Cup.
Lavender wrote to members on Tuesday after less than half the tickets for the iconic stand were sold for Friday’s game between Pakistan and Bangladesh, which could be crucial in the race for the semi-finals.
The tickets have not sold well despite being available to MCC members, those on the waiting list and Middlesex members for £45 on top of the annual membership fees.
This is the first global tournament members have had to pay for their Pavilion tickets. As a result, the MCC committee have relaxed their age restrictions — normally those under 12 are not allowed in — to invite 250 children from state schools in Westminster to offset the issue.
“Members may recall the Women’s World Cup Final in 2017, when unfavourable comparisons were made between the number of members in the Pavilion and full stands in the rest of the ground,” wrote Lavender. “This is damaging to MCC’s global reputation.”
