Poor state of cricket in South Africa

[Supershtuffthat]

Watching the recent Test Series between South Africa and New Zealand and the 20-20, Im suprised on how poor the attendances have been.

There is barely anyone in the ground for the test matches, and for the 20-20 the ground was barely half full. Whats happened to the popularity of cricket in SA? The country ran a fantastic 20-20 World Cup which you would think would boost popularity.

 

[Almost_Austwick]

You may want to consider the opposition, would you want to watch New Zealand?

 

[Supershtuffthat]

Good point- they are playing terribly at the moment. Still its disappointing to see. The crowds were dismal though when India toured a little while ago

I remember watching SA v Aus one-day games and they'd be packed to the rafters.

 

[Almost_Austwick]

Nothing against NZ per se, but they aren't the best team in the world, most of their bigger names have retired or are constantly injured and they haven't played a test for almost a year.

The added above to a lack of traditional rivalry between the two and you can see why it's never going to be the biggest draw.

 

[mattfb]

You may want to consider the opposition, would you want to watch New Zealand?

Still the attendance was poor. More people turned up for Aus vs Zim a few years back.

Btw i personally would want to go watch New Zealand, probably because of our rivarly but i would like to see Aus vs Bangladesh even, any chance i get to see Australia in action.

 

[ivanvdm15]

what? the 20-20 ground (wanderers at Johanesburg ) was packed i was at that game yesterday i barly had place to move.\
but true the test match games wasn't pack but that could also be becaues it was during the week and people work during the week and go to school if you looked on friday afternoon you saw alot more people at the ground and even when the played on saturdays it's way more packed.

 

[mattfb]

Some parts of the ground of the Twenty20 were packed, some werent. I would say just under 3/4 full.

 

[SciD]

Who will watch cricket day in and day out. The problem is few cricket venues which means same venue is hosting matches after matches.

 

[irottev]

NZ arn't a bad one day side. I can understand no one wanting to see the tests, but the twenty/20 games was as close as you can get. We are ranked third in the ODI ladder for good reason.

I agree with the comment about players retiring. I mean, Cairns used to bring in people on his own. Now big hitters and allrouners like Astle and McMillan arn't there.

 

[Supershtuffthat]

Whats happened to MacMillan - he was awesome

 

[evertonfan]

I don't understand why the attendances are so low. When England toured there in 04/05 all of the Tests and ODIs were packed to the rafters.

 

[usy]

I have never seen a England VS New Zealand test match in my whole life.. they don't play each other very often? do they?

 

[Gilly Fan]

Who will watch cricket day in and day out. The problem is few cricket venues which means same venue is hosting matches after matches.

If i had the chance to go to the Australia day in day out, I would.

 

[evertonfan]

I have never seen a England VS New Zealand test match in my whole life.. they don't play each other very often? do they?

They last played in the summer of 2004 in England. England are also touring NZ in early 2008 for a Test and ODI series.

 

[smssia0112]

Still the attendance was poor. More people turned up for Aus vs Zim a few years back.

Btw i personally would want to go watch New Zealand, probably because of our rivarly but i would like to see Aus vs Bangladesh even, any chance i get to see Australia in action.

Yes but wasn't that in Carins and Darwin? Of course they were going to get crowds, it's the only cricket they ever get!