SOUND engineers from Westminster Council will be on hand at Lord’s tonight to ensure that the first, record-breaking Twenty20 Cup game at headquarters does not disturb the peace of St John’s Wood residents. Jingles will be played at significant moments as Middlesex and Surrey do battle — but only up to a certain volume.

In a concession to the vibrant spirit of the competition, spectators are being allowed to bring in flags and banners. Not, however, musical instruments. An amusement arcade has been set up in the indoor school and fancy dress is encouraged. In the pavilion, the usual jacket-and-tie regulations will apply.

More than 21,000 tickets have been sold in advance to ensure that the crowd will be the biggest for a non-final county match at Lord’s since 1953, when 21,993 people watched the first day of the County Championship game between Middlesex and Surrey. Some 25,450 turned out for day two.

Weather permitting, there is every prospect of that figure being superseded tonight because Middlesex and MCC members can enter free. Gates open at 3.30pm, two hours before the start, and spectators have been encouraged to arrive early because of baggage checks.

For the ECB, which introduced the short format last year, tonight’s contest is the jewel in the crown. The previous record crowd for a 20-overs game was set last year when Lancashire and Yorkshire met in front of 14,862 spectators. Rain has affected attendances this time.

John Emburey, the Middlesex coach, is even concerned that his players may be overawed by the size of the crowd. Surrey, the cup-holders, are yet to be beaten in the competition and are more familiar with bigger occasions. They are already assured of a place in the quarter-finals.

Clare Skinner, the MCC press and public affairs officer, said: “Everybody is excited. Hopefully, the sun will come out and we will all enjoy the game and the other events going on around it.”