Adelaide Oval New Year’s Eve Big Bash crowd numbers cut

Crowd numbers have been cut for the New Year’s Eve Big Bash League clash in Adelaide while other scheduled Oval matches are now under a spotlight.

South Australia’s worsening Covid-19 crisis has struck crowds at Adelaide Oval, with BBL numbers to be restricted to 25,000 from Sunday.

The first game affected will be the New Year’s Eve Big Bash League clash between the Adelaide Strikers and the Sydney Thunder.

However a Stadium Management Authority spokesman said it was too early to say if they would be in place for BBL games at the venue on January 5, 7 and 14.

Wes Agar of the Adelaide Strikers in Adelaide earlier this month. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

“Following this morning’s announcement by the Premier of increased restrictions and subsequent discussions with SA Health, patrons are advised that crowds at Adelaide Oval will be capped at 25,000,’’ the authority said in a written statement.

“All other standing Covid-19 protocols remain unchanged at this stage.

“All members and current ticket holders will have their tickets honoured and it is anticipated that there will still be limited GA seats available.”

Premier Steven Marshall announced on Boxing Day that the state would be returning to stricter venue limits after recording another 774 positive virus tests, 81 per cent of which were the Omicron strain.

As of midnight Sunday, gyms will return to limits of one person per seven metres while dining density limits of one person per four square metre indoors and one person per two square metres outdoors.

Home gatherings will again be capped at 10 people, including children and babies.

“We would not be doing it if we were not very concerned about the Omicron variant,” said Mr Marshall.

There have been 4324 cases reported in South Australia since the pandemic started and 3402 since November 23 when borders opened.