8 Mar 2022

Crowd boost for Cricket World Cup

4:11 pm on 8 March 2022

Increased crowd numbers can now attend Cricket World Cup matches in New Zealand.

The capacity at the tournament's six venues in New Zealand has been at just ten percent due to Covid but has now been increased twenty percent.

White Ferns celebrate an Indian wicket.

White Ferns celebrate an Indian wicket. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The increase is a boost for the White Ferns as they prepare for a key match against Australia this weekend in Wellington.

The match had been over subscribed.

"What we've seen at the matches so far is that there's plenty of additional space for fans to spread out and safely social distance," said CWC 22 Chief Executive Andrea Nelson.

"The measures we've put in place mean there've been no issues with queuing and accessing stadium services."

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2021, CEO, Andrea Nelson, during the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Host City Announcement, held at Kohimarama Yacht Club,  Auckland, New Zealand.   23  January  2020   Photo: Brett Phibbs / PhibbsVisuals

Photo: Photosport Ltd 2020

Organisers expect to release tickets for the Eden Park double header in the coming days, and will be creating a waitlist for fans keen to attend the semifinals in Wellington and Christchurch and the final at Hagley Oval on April 3.

"We're really optimistic that conditions will continue to improve, allowing us to cater for more fans at the knockout games," said Andrea Nelson.

"However, for now, our approach will be to register peoples' interest so we can contact them directly once tickets for those matches do become available."

The White Ferns next game is against India in Hamilton on Thursday.

-RNZ