Cricket Australia plans to bring in the full capacity crowd during the Ashes series which is scheduled to be played during this upcoming Australian summer, despite ongoing concerns about Covid-19.
With less than half a year remaining for the commencement of the series, the plans of the management bringing in spectators at full capacity is a tedious task which Cricket Australia (CA) is willing to bet on. This will ultimately help them generate revenue to a large extent and also allow the fans to experience cricket at the highest level in person. Only Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is expected to be sold at 85 percent because of its humungous capacity of accommodating 100,000 fans.
Nick Hockley, Chief Executive of Cricket Australia, expressed his desire and the board’s plans to allow crowds at full capacity during the summer. He said, “The Ashes rivalry is one of the biggest in world sport, and we hope that conditions will allow as many fans as possible.”
He further guaranteed a full refund for fans in case the government doesn’t allow CA to go through with this idea due to public health and security reasons.
The series is scheduled to kick off on 8th December later this year at the Gabba in Brisbane, before moving to Adelaide for the day-night Test. The traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne and New Year’s Test at Sydney will follow. For the first time in Ashes history, Perth is scheduled to host the decider. With Australians looking to bounce back from the defeat against India last summer, the series looks to be quite an exciting prospect.
The Australian Cricket Board is also expecting English fans, especially the Barmy Army, to show up for the series and support their country. CA fully believes in creating a festive atmosphere throughout the series, and wants the fans and players to enjoy the rivalry and this cricketing spectacle. In preparation for the Ashes, Australia is expected to play a one-off test against Afghanistan, followed by a limited over series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.