Surrey to host fans for Blast game against Hampshire as crowd trials resume

Surrey have confirmed that their Vitality Blast game against Hampshire at the Kia Oval on Thursday will see members allowed in as part of further government trials around the return of spectators to live sporting events.

Surrey were involved in the first round of pilots last month, with 1000 fans allowed in to the ground for a friendly against Middlesex. A further trial event planned for the Bob Willis Trophy was cancelled, however, due to rising Covid-19 infection levels.

The government has recently announced a series of sporting events, from football to horse racing, will be used as pilots, as it continues to plot a return for fans from October 1 in accordance with social distancing rules.

Surrey will allow 2500 members into the Kia Oval for their fourth match in the Blast, a floodlit fixture against Hampshire. A further 100 hospitality guests will be allowed on to the Corinthian Roof Terrace. The game will also be streamed on Facebook and the club's website.

"It's fantastic to once again be working with the government to deliver these trials," Surrey's chief executive, Richard Gould, said. "I would like to thank them for the continued faith they have shown in us and hugely look forward to seeing some fans back in the ground next week."

Full fixtures for the Blast were announced earlier this month, with the quarter-finals and Finals Day pushed back to into October - the latest it has ever been held - with the hope that grounds will be allowed to host crowds for the domestic game's T20 showpiece.