Lord’s Cricket Ground has issued a ticket refund promise as it announced plans for the sale of tickets for the first Test match in England in 2021.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that England will start their home international summer with a Test against New Zealand at Lord’s between June 2 and 6, before heading to Edgbaston for the second match.
While there will be no public ballot for the Test, tickets will go on general sale on February 22, with all 2021 International tickets at Lord’s are sold on a first come, first served basis.
In the fixtures announcement, Lord’s assured potential ticket buyers that if games cannot go ahead due to COVID-19 they will receive a full refund.
It read: “Of course, in these uncertain times, things may change, and the safety of all our visitors will remain our priority. During 2020, we have worked hard to ensure Lord’s is Covid-secure. We have strict policies and procedures in place and we comply with the UK Government, the Sports Ground Safety Authority, Westminster City Council and the ECB guidelines.
“Whilst we’re hoping for full crowds and a summer of cricket to remember, we cannot guarantee the dates or that we will be allowed full capacity at the matches.
“However, to give you peace of mind, our refund policy, in line with the ECB, means that if your ticket is cancelled due to the game not going ahead, or capacities being reduced, you will receive a full refund.”
Following on from the New Zealand series in June, England will face Pakistan in a Royal London One-Day International on July 10, before India are the visitors to the famous St John’s Wood ground between August 12 and 16 for a Test Match. Tickets are already on sale for both games.
The announcement follows Lord’s receiving criticism for its “extortionate” ticket prices for England’s ODI against Pakistan. Seats for the Test in the Lower Grand Stand were £165, but Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) defended itself from criticism over the price by pointing instead to £60 tickets for the Test match against India.
Image: Ben Sutherland / CC BY 2.0 / Edited for size
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