/betbarter/media/agency_attachments/3YXcMKaocLoKtpo5Mw2o.png)
/betbarter/media/post_banners/qzQuMdyicw7HytUf34o6.jpg)
India and New Zealand
The ECB, along with the International Cricket Council, will be permitting 4000 spectators in the WTC final between India and New Zealand. The mega event of the year is scheduled to be played in Southampton. On Wednesday, May 19, cricket fanatics were permitted in a cricket match in England for the first time during the county championship. Around 1500 spectators were allowed entry at the Rose Bowl stadium for the match between Hampshire and Leicestershire. The WTC final is going to take place from June 18 to 22. Thus, the recent development of allowing fans in the stadium will be a piece of excellent news for all the cricket enthusiasts in the country.
The previous week, the FA Cup final between Leicester City and Chelsea marked a historic event. The match witnessed a total of 20,000 spectators in the stadium. After the pandemic, it was the first instance when a sporting venue in England hosted more than 10,000 people for a single game. Seven more County Championship games will commence across the country today, and all matches will witness spectators in the stadium.
NZ players & staff have been shifted to hotel quarantine in Southampton
England will be hosting New Zealand for a two-match Test series. After the series, the Black Caps will face India for a five-match Test series. The host country failed to make the WTC final after losing the away Test series to India earlier this year. India and New Zealand emerged as the top two teams in the points table. The sides defeated England and Australia, who both had good opportunities of making it to the finals but lost crucial matches towards the end. Meanwhile, the entire New Zealand contingent has arrived in London ahead of their biosecure Test tour of England and the ICC WTC Final against India. New Zealand cricket has also mentioned that most of the Test squad and staff had been transferred to hotel quarantine in Southampton.
After completing the mandatory quarantine period, the team will warm up for the two-Test series against England. The New Zealand tour of England begins on May 25. First, it will commence with a practice match. After that, the Black Caps are likely to play a 2-match Test series in England from June 2. The NZ cricket board has also named a 20-member squad for the upcoming series.