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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Tamlyn Jones

Edgbaston chosen again to pilot England cricket match

Edgbaston cricket stadium will be used again as a pilot venue by the Government as it continues to study the effects of sporting events on covid rates.

The renowned Birmingham venue hosted around 60,000 spectators over four days of test cricket earlier this month as England took on New Zealand as part of the Government's 'Events Research Programme'.

It will now welcome Pakistan on July 13 for a one-day international match against England.

Edgbaston will liaise with Public Health England to agree the final capacity and then contact all ticket holders with information on whether they have secured a seat as well as the requirements for entry.

Among the initiatives utilised for the New Zealand test match were a new smartphone app with mobile ticketing, queue time checker, food and drink click-and-collect orders and a delivery option for disabled spectators.

All spectators were required to complete a covid lateral flow test, sign a medical consent form and complete a further PCR Test within five days of their visit to Edgbaston.

Chief executive Stuart Cain said: "It's a great reward for everyone at Edgbaston and for the city of Birmingham that we can follow up our successful hosting of the test match by welcoming another big crowd in just over three weeks for the Royal London International.

"England versus Pakistan at Edgbaston sold out before Christmas last year.

"However, the final capacity will be determined once we have had more detailed discussions with the Government, our safety advisory group and city stakeholders."

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden added: "I'm delighted to be able to include England's upcoming one-day international in our pioneering Events Research Programme.

"We will continue to do everything we can to get as many as possible back watching live sport and cultural events as safely and as quickly as possible."

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