Fancy dress ban when Test resumes today

Fancy dress has been banned for the resumption of England’s final Test against South Africa at the Oval following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Those attending the last three days of the match will also be limited to buying two alcoholic drinks at a time.

Ticket holders for today’s play have been asked to be in their seats before 10.30am for a special celebration of the late Queen’s life and legacy, with bars not serving alcohol until its conclusion.

The restrictions were announced by Surrey Cricket Club after the England and Wales Cricket Board ordered the resumption of cricket, which had been suspended following the passing of Britain’s longest-serving monarch.

The ECB confirmed that a minute’s silence would be observed before play followed by the national anthem, expected to be the first time its “God Save the King” iteration has been sung at a major sporting event since 1952.

Surrey, who are hosting England’s final home Test of the summer, said in a statement: “We ask visitors attending tomorrow, Saturday, to be in their seats prior to 10.30am for a special celebration of Her Majesty’s life and legacy. Bars will not serve alcohol until the conclusion of this celebration and fans will be limited to purchasing two alcoholic drinks at a time throughout the day.

“There will be some significant dif- ferences from your usual match-day experience. On Day’s [sic] 4 and 5, bars will be open once play starts and fans will be limited to purchasing two alcoholic drinks at a time throughout the day. Fancy dress will not be permitted across the three days, and those in fancy dress will be refused entry.

“Please be mindful of other people and behave with respect as concerns other people and the occasion.”

The remainder of the Test will have a minimum number of 98 overs bowled per day following Thursday’s washout.