The stadium - which will play host to women’s cricket at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games - will be allowed to operate at 70 per cent capacity, instead of 25 per cent which is currently permitted for smaller outdoor venues.

It means Edgbaston will be able to accommodate around 18,000 spectators each day during the test series which is set to run from June 10 to 14.

Each ticket holder must present a negative COVID-19 result from a rapid lateral flow test, completed within 24 hours in advance of the day they are attending.

The pilot event is set to be used to analyse testing protocols for all spectators in attendance, the use of social distancing and face coverings when moving around the stadium.

It is hoped the Government will be able to gather further evidence on the risk of transmission at mass participation events.

The process was agreed by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and supported by Public Health England, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Birmingham City Council and Edgbaston’s own Safety Advisory Group.

"Whilst public health is the priority, the first stage pilots have shown how people can safely start to enjoy the things they love; live sport and music," said Stuart Cain, chief executive of Edgbaston Stadium.

"It will be great to welcome cricket fans to Edgbaston and give the England team a huge boost as nothing beats the atmosphere that crowds create here.

"Edgbaston is unique as a cricket venue in having such a large stadium footprint, but we also have a vastly experienced operational delivery team, which has hosted many major events and a spectator pilot last summer.

"We have always been hopeful of featuring in the pilot programme and are delighted for the thousands of ticket holders who will now be able to attend.

"The city’s authorities have worked with us to make this happen so I would like to thank councillor Ian Ward and his team for their support and also Mayor Andy Street for his help along the way."

Britain has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic having recorded about 128,000 deaths, but the country’s Government is looking to ease restrictions in England as part of its roadmap out of lockdown.

More than 23.6 million people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 which equates to 35.4 per cent of Britain’s population, while 57.6 per cent have had at least one jab.

"Having crowds back into cricket grounds is so important for the game and for our fans too," added Tom Harrison, chief executive of the ECB.

"The last 15 months have shown just how big a role cricket plays in many people’s lives, and we cannot wait to welcome a growing number of fans back to our stadia over the coming months."