Low-level fake crowd noise for England-West Indies Test matches

England and West Indies have decided to let music or low-level crowd noise be played during the Tests that begin this week.

Playing in England without crowd noise would be strange, says Kemar Roach

The fake roar of the crowd is already familiar to viewers watching football on television in the coronavirus era.

Now England and West Indies have decided in principle to let music or low-level crowd noise be played during the Test matches that begin this week.

West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach agreed with comments from England players after their intra-squad warm-up last week that it would feel strange to play in a silent ground.

“Some noise around would be great,” Roach, 32, said. “It will be strange for us playing in England where there is always a lot of crowd noise and atmosphere.”

Officials from both sides will meet on Tuesday to decide what noise will be played from loudspeakers during the three Tests, beginning at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton, on Wednesday.

It is likely that they will agree on having music played between overs and at other key points, as happens at one-day international or T20 matches.

Artificial crowd noise could also be made available for television viewers, although it is likely to be quieter and less responsive to the run of play than the celebrations, chants and booing audible during English Premier League matches.

Premier League pectator noise has been provided by EA Sports, taken from their Fifa 20 computer game. Although there are similar cricket games, the crowd noise is not deemed realistic enough and it is likely that any background noise played on TV would be taken from old footage and edited together.

Viewers will be able to hear audio through stump microphones as usual, although directors can shut them down between deliveries to minimise the risk of any bad language being overheard.

The other Tests are due to take place at Old Trafford this month.

The Times