Shocking scenes at Perth Test as fans stay away in droves and blame everything from the cost of living to the Indian Premier League and ‘woke, cheating players’
The future of Test cricket has come under a new black cloud after disastrous crowd figures took the shine off the first match of the summer against Pakistan.
About 3,000 people were at Optus Stadium on Sunday to watch Nathan Lyon make history by taking his 500th Test wicket as the Aussies routed their inferior opposition.
It led many cricket analysts to question the future of the longest and most traditional form of the game.
The development comes after Test Great and commentator Kerry O'Keeffe said 'we have lost our love' for cricket in the build-up to the match last week.
On SEN, Sam Edmund raised his concerns, saying: 'How many people come every week to watch the (AFL side West Coast) Eagles get pumped? It would be more than 40,000. Yet we cannot interest our Western Australian friends in watching Test cricket in their own backyard.”
There were only a handful of fans in the stands at Optus Stadium to celebrate Nathan Lyon taking his 500th Test wicket
Captain Pat Cummins is known for his support of social causes and has been branded 'woke' by some of his critics, with some fans claiming this is why spectators stay away
Mitchell Starc rewards the diehard supporters who stuck around on day four by signing autographs and taking pictures with the young fans
Former Australian player Simon O'Donnell also criticized the turnout, saying: “Their turnout is deplorable.”
Catherine Murphy, an ABC sports journalist, expressed her surprise on Twitter, saying: 'Just turned on the cricket….4 wickets and about four people in the stands…. What's going on in Perth?!'
Writing in The Age, cricket journalist Dan Brettig noted: 'It's hard to escape the feeling that Test cricket is on trial against anyone other than England and India in Australia.'
Even former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting left the ground early and resigned on the final day of play from his role as coach of Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.
The IPL auction will be held on Tuesday evening and the Australian needed time to prepare and attend the important bidding process for the best talent.
Many cricket fans fear that the expansion of the IPL could lead to a serious player drain and a further decline in spectators for Test matches.
Even former captain Ricky Ponting left early despite having previous commitments as coach of Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League
The Indian Premier League is getting bigger and longer every year, swallowing up the international cricket schedule and locking up players with big contracts
The IPL currently runs from the last week of March to the last week of May, but that will now extend into June, while ongoing plans for globally contracted players and franchise clubs around the world have put the cricket world on notice.
“Pajama cricket has played a huge role in the demise of Test cricket. From the crowd to the skills of a Test cricketer, there aren't many who bat a tuff innings anymore,” said a fan.
Others suggested that planning was the problem.
Brisbane traditionally hosts the first Test of the summer but was shunned for Perth this time.
The first day attracted 16,259 spectators at the 60,000 capacity stadium and reached its peak on Day 2 with 17,666 fans, ending with a total attendance of 59,125 and an average of 14,781 over the four days.
These visitor numbers would almost correspond to the capacity of the WACA, which can accommodate 18,000 people, but has not organized a test since 2017. It recently initiated a $154.7 million redevelopment project.
It's been a big year for the Australian cricket team, who first won the Test Championship and then clinched The Ashes in England.
Australia also stunned by winning the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup held in India this year
Others pointed out that Pakistan is a weak opposition, as evidenced by the Aussies' 360-run demolition job, and that fans were not going to spend top dollar in the middle of the cost of living crisis and just days before Christmas.
“Pakistan has never won a Test series in Australia. The last time they won a Test match in Australia was the 1995/96 series. Only real die-hard fans are going to spend good money on a boring match,” said one fan.
Others blamed a total cricket overload, which now continues year-round.
'Too much cricket has been played. Cricket T20 World Cup just over a year ago, ODI World Cup last month, T20 series in India, Ashes, Test Championship, IPL, BBL, WBBL. Now an uneven test series against Pak. It's a little overcooked.' a fan posted.
For some fans, the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal still leaves a bad taste in their mouths.
'There are still too many cheaters in the team. Work it out,” one fan posted.
“Well, if the national team has a bunch of woke cheating snowflakes. It's understandable that most guys would rather stay home and not go out,” one follower wrote.