Why an ODI match featuring Pakistan at the MCG revealed a HUGE problem Cricket Australia needs to solve fast
Cricket Australia is facing a huge problem this summer if Monday’s paltry crowd at the MCG is any guide.
Just 25,831 fans attended the one-day international clash between the hosts and Pakistan – and while Pat Cummins showed his class – with the bat – to guide his team to a thrilling two-wicket win, questions need to be asked why the fixture was pencilled in for a Monday afternoon.
‘Wouldn’t know this is a home game for the Aussies, why has cricket fallen off so much? Wouldn’t be 1,000 Australian fans at this game,’ one fan posted on X.
Another savagely stated: ‘This game at the MCG is doing nothing to motivate interest in the summer of cricket. A completely pointless event. This is about as dull as sport can get.’
A third said: ‘The MCG is nearly empty when millions of people are in town for the Melbourne Cup. A sign cricket is falling flat. Very sad reality for CA.’
A fourth weighed in with: ‘Commentator [cricket great Wasim Akram] said 27,000 fans here in Melbourne, and 20,000 are supporting Pakistan.’
Media identity Jason Morrison spoke for many bemused fans when he queried the scheduling on X.
‘Something is wrong at Cricket Australia,’ he tweeted.
Cricket Australia is facing a huge problem this summer if Monday’s paltry crowd at the MCG is any guide (pictured right, skipper Pat Cummins)
Just 25,831 fans attended the one-day international clash between Australia and Pakistan (pictured, an aerial view of the MCG on Monday)
Pakistan cricket fans were out in force to cheer on their heroes in Melbourne (pictured)
In bizarre scenes, Aussie cricket fans (pictured) were comfortably outnumbered on home soil
Aussie cricket fans were puzzled to see an ODI match against Pakistan at the MCG on Monday
This supporter savagely labelled 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 said in commentary for Fox Sports ‘ 27,000 fans here in Melbourne, and 20,000 are supporting Pakistan’
‘Why start the men’s international season with a one-dayer on a Monday afternoon – not the weekend?
‘Likely average TV ratings and small crowd. Bad for fans and the players.’
With T20 cricket’s Big Bash a ratings bonanza each December and January, the 50-over format could well fade into obscurity on local shores if changes aren’t made.
Test cricket will always have support with purists of the sport, and the upcoming series against India couldn’t have come at a better time for CA.
Australia play Pakistan in the second ODI in Adelaide on Friday, November 8 (2.30pm AEDT) before the third and final clash in Perth on Sunday, also at 2.30pm AEDT.
In a sign of the times, the two proud cricket nations then will play a three-match T20 series, with matches in Brisbane (November 14), Sydney (November 16) and Tasmania (November 18).
November 22 is day one of the first Test against India, with the first ball at 1.20pm AEDT.
