ECB statement on increased capacities at Sri Lanka and Pakistan series

We are delighted to confirm that the ECB and our international venues are working with the Government’s Events Research Programme to increase capacities at the Royal London Series ODIs and Vitality IT20s against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in June and July.

For operational reasons, we will focus initially on the three matches in late June and early July against Sri Lanka at the Emirates Riverside in Durham, the Kia Oval in London and the Bristol County Ground. Details on arrangements for the Pakistan series will follow after further discussions with the Government and local stakeholders.

The Vitality IT20 against Sri Lanka at the Ageas Bowl on 26th June will not be part of this Programme and all matches in Wales are subject to separate discussion with the Welsh Government.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

“Summer is all about cricket and I’m delighted to be able to include England’s upcoming ODI and IT20 series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in our pioneering Events Research Programme.

“With thanks to our tremendous vaccine rollout and massive uptake of the NHS App we will be able to welcome back far greater numbers of cricket fans to Durham, Bristol and The Oval.

“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."