Furious cricket fans slam the MCG for ruining a sporting tradition for Aussie battlers to keep big business happy

Outraged cricket fans have lashed out at the MCG for allowing the famous Bay 13 ground to be turned into a lavish promotion for one of Australia's biggest companies.

Bay 13 has long had the reputation of being the most colorful part of the famous stadium and the fans who sit there are known as larrikins who occasionally misbehave and fanatically support the Aussie cricket team.

A security crackdown on activities such as making 'beer snakes' from empty plastic cups has eroded some of its character, but this year it has been completely revamped as the Commonwealth Bank's Yello Deck.

The Yello Deck is an exclusive area where a lucky few can watch the action from the comfort of something resembling a chic pub beer garden, complete with padded chairs, parasols and a bar.

The exclusive business seating area looks like a chic beer garden, complete with a bar, padded chairs and parasols for a few lucky spectators

It stands out sharply from the rest of the MCG seats and has drawn harsh criticism from fans who see it as yet another attack on a great Australian sporting tradition – and one created for no other reason than to bow to a corporate sponsor.

“What big-eared plutofascist had so little respect for the traditions of this venue that they thought it was a good idea to donate Bay 13 to prime bench seating?” wrote one fan on the social media platform X.

Channel Ten sports commentator Stephen Quartermain was also unimpressed, writing: 'The magnificent @MCG tainted by the Bay 13 banking horror.'

“Another tradition gone,” another angry fan added.

“So that's Bay 13. They're doing everything they can to keep fans away from cricket in this country. Not just test cricket, but all forms. The appeal of money to people in seats enjoying the game. Amazing,” wrote another critic.

“Hey @commbank, did you kick out Bay 13 because of your monstrous corporate box?” asked a disgruntled cricket diehard.

Bay 13 developed a reputation as home to the rowdiest fans during the Boxing Day Test, when it became synonymous with Aussie Larrikin culture

Fans in Bay 13 are known for pushing the boundaries when it comes to behavior, with activities such as building huge 'beer snakes' out of empty plastic cups (pictured)

The area was also converted into expensive exclusive seating in 2019 (pictured), with well-heeled fans having to pay $195 per head to sit in what used to be known as yobbo central.

Other fans complained that the cricketing powers are okay with making huge changes for corporate money, while star Australian player Usman Khawaja has been banned from displaying a dove with an olive branch on his uniform in the Test against Pakistan.

This isn't the first time Bay 13 has been converted into exclusive seating for well-heeled spectators.

In 2019, it was transformed into a chic hospitality space called 'Boundary Social' during the Boxing Day Test, with visitors having to pay $195 per head to access indoor seating, complete with 'premium drinks' and a 'gourmet grazing menu'.

Fans responded by calling the change 'unAustralian' and a 'monstrosity'.

“Look at this corporate espionage in what was once Bay 13. The country has gone to hell,” one person wrote.

“Big call to avoid Bay 13 during the #BoxingDayTest and opt for some corporate tickets for the one bay to single-handedly add atmosphere to any cricket match without a doubt,” another added.

Bay 13 – which occupies part of the Shane Warne Stand approximately opposite the Members Reserve – has been the scene of some iconic cricketing moments over the years, including hundreds of fans imitating legendary fast bowler Merv Hughes as he went through his warm-up drills .