Why an ODI match with Pakistan at the MCG exposed a HUGE problem that Cricket Australia must solve quickly
- Poor attendance at MCG for ODI match between Australia and Pakistan
- Many cricket fans asked why the match was played on Monday
- T20 cricket is fan favourite, ODI fixtures may fade into oblivion
Cricket Australia faces a huge problem this summer if Monday’s paltry crowd at the MCG is any guide.
Only 25,831 fans attended the one-day international match between the hosts and Pakistan – and while Pat Cummins showed his class – with the bat – to lead his team to a thrilling two-wicket victory, questions must be asked as to why the match was drawn . for a Monday afternoon.
“I wouldn’t know this is a home match for the Aussies, why has cricket gone downhill so much? There wouldn’t be a thousand Australian fans at this match,” one fan wrote on X.
Another said cheekily: ‘This match at the MCG does nothing to spark interest in the summer of cricket. A completely pointless event. This is as boring as sports can be.”
A third said: ‘The MCG is almost empty when millions of people are in town for the Melbourne Cup. A tick cricket falls flat. Very sad reality for CA.”
A fourth weighed in: “Commentator [cricket great Wasim Akram] said 27,000 fans here in Melbourne, and 20,000 supporting Pakistan.”
Media identity Jason Morrison spoke for many stunned supporters when he questioned the planning on X.
‘Something is not right at Cricket Australia’ he tweeted.
Cricket Australia faces a major problem this summer if Monday’s paltry crowd at the MCG is any guide (pictured right, Australian skipper Pat Cummins)
Only 25,831 fans attended the one-day international clash between Australia and Pakistan (pictured, an aerial view of the MCG on Monday)
Pakistani cricket fans turned out in droves to cheer on their heroes in Melbourne (pictured)
In bizarre scenes, Aussie cricket fans (pictured) were comfortably outnumbered on home soil
Australian cricket fans were amazed to see an ODI match against Pakistan at the MCG on Monday
This Supporter Boldly Labeled The Clash Against Pakistan A ‘Completely Pointless Event’
Another wondered why there was no free-to-air coverage for cricket fans
Cricket great Wasim Akram, commenting for Fox Sports, said: ‘27,000 fans here in Melbourne, and 20,000 support Pakistan’
‘Why would you start the international men’s season with a one-day match on Monday afternoon and not on the weekend?
‘Probably average viewing figures and little audience. Bad for the fans and the players.’
With T20 cricket’s Big Bash a ratings bonanza every December and January, the 50-over format could well be forgotten on local shores if changes are not made.
Test cricket will always have support from purists of the sport, and the upcoming series against India couldn’t have come at a better time for CA.
Meanwhile, Australia will play Pakistan in the second ODI in Adelaide on Friday, November 8 (2:30 PM AEDT) before the third and final match in Perth on Sunday, November 10, also at 2:30 PM AEDT.
In a sign of the times, the two proud cricketing nations will then play a three-match T20 series, with matches in Brisbane (November 14), Sydney (November 16) and Tasmania (November 18).
November 22 is the first day of the first Test against India, with the first ball at 1.20pm AEDT.
