- Just over 16,000 fans attended the first day of the Perth Test
- Optus Stadium looked barren when Australia batted
- Fans were divided on social media about the turnout
Australia played in front of a barren Optus Stadium on Thursday and that was certainly noticeable to the cricket fans watching at home.
Cricket Australia confirmed at the end of the match that 16,259 fans attended the first day of Pat Cummins' match against Pakistan, in a match dubbed The West Test by cricket bosses.
But fans did not turn out in droves to support the home side despite recently returning from India after their World Cup win.
Optus Stadium's empty seats were plain for all the world to see, with fans taking to social media to discuss the low attendance at the 60,000-seat arena.
Some fans called for the first Test of the Aussie Summer to return to Brisbane's Gabba Stadium, while others claimed attendance was positive on a working day before the holidays.
A crowd of just over 16,000 people attended the opening day of the Perth Test
Empty seats were visible as David Warner scored 164 runs against Pakistan on Thursday
“Remind me again why the first Test of the summer has been moved from the Gabba?” one fan asked.
“It should be at the Gabba, period,” said another.
A deflated West Australian admitted: “Unfortunately we don't deserve Test cricket anymore.
“Despite the challenges (day of the week, temperature, etc.), we talk a big game but don't show up. Then we whine when we've lost the test. It's frustrating, but I don't think we have the same passion for cricket as we used to have.”
A number of fans defended the attendance figures considering the opening day was played on a weekday, but one supporter dismissed that theory.
“Let's play all five days on the weekend so people from Perth can turn up. Miserable.'
Another fan suggested: 'It should have been at the WACA and the big teams like India and England are playing at the Perth stadium where they will actually draw crowds.'
The attendance of just over 16,000 is pretty much on par with other opening days in Perth in years gone by, but outgoing WA Cricket boss Christina Matthews was hoping to pass 25,000 ahead of the first day.
Cricket fans were divided as they discussed the attendance figures on social media
Cummins, who captained Australia in front of 90,000 fans in the World Cup final, was also hoping for a strong crowd.
“I'm sure it will be well supported here,” he said beforehand.
“Some of the Test matches you play in Australia, I think the school is still here, you might not get the full stadium but you know there will be millions of people watching.
“And it's kind of the start of their summer, that first Test match. So we feel really supported when we play here and probably after the last 12 months I have never felt as much support as I have in the last month.”