ECB to admit kids for free on final day of Tests

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced that it would grant free admission to the fifth day of next summer's Test Matches to all children under 16.

The move follows a review of the ECB's international admissions pricing policy and will apply to all seven Tests in 2001 - two against Pakistan and the five-match Ashes series against Australia.

Children will also continue to be offered half-price admission to the first four days of play during Test Matches.

Announcing the new policy in a speech to the House of Lords tonight, ECB Chairman Lord MacLaurin said: "Today's youngsters are tomorrow's playing stars and through initiatives such as this the ECB is doing all it can to encourage the young generation to play and watch cricket."