Here's why the first Test at Lord's between England and New Zealand might not pull huge crowds

England is all set to host New Zealand for a three-match Test series starting on the 2nd of June. However, the first match at Lord's could see many empty stands throughout the course of the match. The match has been designated as "Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Test".

According to The Daily Telegraph, 20,000 seats remain unsold in the first four days. According to the report, the high ticket prices have been mentioned by Barmy Army as the cause for the slow ticket sales. Ticket sales have been slow due to ticket prices of 160 pounds (Rs. 15,700 approx) "amid the cost of living crisis."

"As of Monday evening, Lord’s was still advertising 1800 tickets as available on day one, 2500 on day two, 4600 on day three and 9600 on day four. Usually, a Lord’s Test to open the English summer is the hottest ticket in town," read the report.

"It has to be price," Chris Millard, managing director of the Barmy Army fan group, was quoted as saying in the report. "We do not get tickets at Lord’s as a group, but speaking to a lot of people who go every year they have been put off due to price and the cost of living crisis," he added.

Paul Burnham, the co-founder of the Barmy Army, blamed the disappointing sales on "the recession, Queen's celebration, poor red-ball form, and entertainment level very poor and no Barmy trumpeter allowed."

In the meantime, Ben Stokes will take charge of the Test team for the first time. Brendon McCullum will also take up this series as his first assignment as the longest format's head coach. The second match against the reigning World Test Champions will be played at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, followed by the final match at Headingley, Leeds.

The three-match series will be crucial for the English team under the new administration. The team has only managed one win in their last 17 matches. They have also failed to win a Test series since their victory in Sri Lanka in January 2021.