CRICKET West Indies (CWI) today released an extra 2 500 tickets per match day for the 2nd Apex Test match between West Indies and England at the Kensington Oval, Barbados from March 16 to 20.

This release of tickets follows the Barbados Ministry of Health and Wellness’ announcement of an easing of capacity restrictions that previously applied to the Kensington Oval, which will now see a maximum 80% capacity allowed for the 2nd Apex Test match.

From 13:00hrs today, these additional seats went on sale via CWI’s new Windies Tickets service available via www.windiescricket.com/tickets. Fans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to enter the stadium when they provide documentation of their vaccination status – their final dose of an approved vaccine being received at least 14 days before the match day to be attended.

Wearing of face masks in the stands remains mandatory for all attendees with the exception being whilst fans are eating or drinking.

The Banks Party Stand will also benefit from an increase in capacity, and fully vaccinated fans will also need to provide a negative rapid antigen test before entry. This will be available at a testing facility at the entrance to the Banks Party Stand or from government-approved testing locations in Barbados (the price of a test will vary according to the testing location).

With the high demand for tickets, fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance, online, avoiding the need to queue. Fans will securely receive tickets directly into their online Windies Tickets account to print at home, save to their device or share onwards with friends or family.

Fans can register for their ticket accounts at www.windiescricket.com/tickets and purchase their selected seats in advance for any individual match-day or special five-day Test season tickets. Tickets are priced from US$40 to US$80 per day, or from US$140 for a 5-day ‘season ticket’.

As the West Indian nations recover from the impact of COVID-19, CWI is continuing with the 50% discount promotion for local fans to make the matches affordable and accessible. This 50% discount can be applied in the shopping cart in the ticket account.

Dominic Warne, CWI’s Commercial Director said: “This is really good news for the Apex Test Series as more fans now have the opportunity to watch this epic rivalry between the West Indies and England. CWI and all the stakeholders appreciate the Government of Barbados’ announcement, allowing this increased capacity at Kensington Oval.

“We expect more local and travelling fans to attend for what is a ‘bucket list’ sporting event and iconic venue for fans in the Caribbean and around the world.”

The box office in Barbados will open March 11-12 and then March 14-15 from 10:00hrs to 18:00hrs for ticket sales. On match-days the ticket office will open at 08:30hrs with the first over to be bowled at 10:00hrs.

Last month, due to the COVID-19 protocols, the venue was capped at 50% for the Betway T20 International Series between the two teams which West Indies won 3-2.

The highly anticipated Apex Test Series will be played for the newly-minted Richards-Botham trophy. It will start appropriately at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on March 8 and run until March 12.

The action them moves to Kensington Oval in Barbados for the second Apex Test, with the third Apex Test match on the ‘Spice Isle’ of Grenada at the National Stadium on March 24-28.

The Apex Test Series is a key fixture in both teams’ International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship schedule which will determine the best Test team in the world by 2023.

MATCH SCHEDULE
Apex Test Series (10:00hrs local time/09:00hrs Jamaica time)
March 8-12: 1st Apex Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
March 16-20: 2nd Apex Test at Kensington Oval, Barbados
March 24-28: 3rd Apex Test at Grenada National Stadium, Grenada