Washout refunds for fans

Tom Collomosse
30 Jul 2009

Cricket fans travelling to Edgbaston for the Third Test will receive a full refund on their tickets if any of the five days is washed out by rain.

Yesterday's downpours left huge puddles on the outfield and more rain this morning meant there was no play in the first session today.

But Warwickshire County Cricket Club were at pains to reassure worried supporters, some of whom have paid as much as £75 for a ticket, that they will be given their money back if less than 10 overs are bowled on any given day.

If between 10-25 overs are bowled, then supporters will be eligible for a 50 per cent refund.

The 21,000-capacity ground in Birmingham is sold out for the first four days Test, with 18,000 tickets snapped up for Monday's final day.

Warwickshire chief executive Colin Povey said: "If we were to lose the whole of the first day, we would be unlucky.

"We went into today hoping to see some play. This weather was not really in the script for us, as an Ashes Test was the sporting ticket of the summer.

"The ground staff were working through the night, and we have to hope for better, drier days ahead."

A planned upgrade of the drainage system at Edgbaston is yet to take place, leaving groundsman Steve Rouse and his team to pump water into the stands using their five super-sopper machines.