Surrey hope they can welcome fans back to Oval for Kent fixture

Surrey are optimistic they could welcome fans back to the Kia Oval as part of the Government pilots for the return of spectators to sport.

That is after the go-ahead was given last night for fans to attend the World Snooker Championship Final in Sheffield this weekend. There are set to be around 300 people at the Crucible tomorrow and on Sunday, as efforts to get crowds back at sport regularly from October resume.

The Government programme of pilots was paused a fortnight ago, less than 24 hours before 2,500 fans were due to attend the opening round of Bob Willis Trophy matches at The Oval and Edgbaston. Snooker and racing at Goodwood were also affected.

Surrey, who hosted 1,000 fans for a friendly against Middlesex, have had an eye on their four-day fixture against Kent next weekend. They and the ECB are waiting for information from the Government, knowing that things can move quickly. Priority would be given to members of the two counties.

Surrey have lost their first two matches in the Bob Willis Trophy but are boosted by the presence of Morne Morkel in their squad to face Hampshire at Arundel tomorrow.