Crowd in Test Cricket

[King Cricket]

Even 5 years back from now, a match between India-Pakistan, or India-Australia- and the stadiums used to be jam packed with people. But now the picture has changed completely. The recent India-Australia test series was played in front of an almost empty gallery, in the india-england test series there were more commandos than common spectators. This thing is happening all over the world. But why? Why is the oldest form of cricket losing it's attraction? If we don't solve this issue now, maybe in the near future there will come a time when a thing called "Test Cricket" will not exist any more.

 

[Skater]

You should watch the Ashes this year - that is going to be one hell of a crowd - every ground will be packed.

 

[mukund_nadkarni]

Why is the oldest form of cricket losing it's attraction? If we don't solve this issue now, maybe in the near future there will come a time when a thing called "Test Cricket" will not exist any more.

Don't worry mate, it's just a passing phase! And things in the present tend to look worse if you think the past was perfect. No it wasn't.

 

[King Cricket]

You should watch the Ashes this year - that is going to be one hell of a crowd - every ground will be packed.

But you know what the sad thing is, the ashes is the only test series in the world which still hasn't lost its attraction.

 

[max_dillon2007]

well you got it wrong, india -england series had nice crowd.
indian peopla allways support test cricket. its just the weather,u might not believe it but indians prefer hot conditions,in winter time not many people are willing to come out. u should see the matches played in summer. And just to give you an example, tune in for tommorow's Ranji Trophy final match between Mumbai and U.P. you would see a lot of crowd. i saw semifinal, it was jam packed. don u know the attraction of Tendulkar, if he plays well then news wud spread and people wud come in like mad. it all depends upon tendulkar these days

 

[Highlander999]

Two things. Firstly 20/20 cricket has meant there has been a slight reduction in the number of people going to watch test cricket. However, you must remember we are in the middle of a global recession, people cannot really afford to go and watch a 5 Day Test match anymore and will get more for their money at an ODI or 20/20

 

[IloveGilly]

When you ask the actual people, they will tell you it's the cost, the long hours and a lot of the time they will find it more enjoyable at ODIs and T20s. When the basic T20 tickets were $30 higher, people were willing to pay that to see a short and entertaining game filled with it's "Glitz and Glamour". Was really disappointing on Boxing Day, 20,000 short of where it should've been.

And look at Australia now, two T20i's in a matter of days. It's not a wonder...

 

[mattfb]

I don't think it's any of those options. It's the cost and heat I think. One Dayers are normally day/night games so your not sitting in the hot sun all day.

Test cricket wont die, don't worry mate.

 

[stefan]

Its not 20/20 cricket. We have been having poor test crowds in SA even before anyone even though of t20. The fact is its easier to watch the games from your own home with a perfect view and add to that the heat of the african summer and its just more fun to watch the game at home.

Odi's and t20's being mostly night games make it easier for people. Many people can come to these games after work and it isn't as hot then.

Maybe should seriously look at the aussie idea of night test matches??

 

[Gilly Fan]

I don't think it's any of those options. It's the cost and heat I think. One Dayers are normally day/night games so your not sitting in the hot sun all day.

Test cricket wont die, don't worry mate.

Nah not completely, people would rather go to the cricket for 3 hours with lots of entertainment that 8 hours in the hot sun watching people nudge singles around once every couple of overs.

But I love Test cricket, but I only like T20 if there is not much of it.

 

[Precambrian]

well you got it wrong, india -england series had nice crowd.
indian peopla allways support test cricket. its just the weather,u might not believe it but indians prefer hot conditions,in winter time not many people are willing to come out. u should see the matches played in summer. And just to give you an example, tune in for tommorow's Ranji Trophy final match between Mumbai and U.P. you would see a lot of crowd. i saw semifinal, it was jam packed. don u know the attraction of Tendulkar, if he plays well then news wud spread and people wud come in like mad. it all depends upon tendulkar these days

Jampacked crowd for the Semi? You got to be kidding.

I watched the match live and there were atleast 2 stands fully empty.

However the crowd was OK considering this was a domestic fixture.

T20 has undoubtedly taken its toll on Test cricket Audience in India. However a share of the blame, if not all, should go to BCCI. They seem to be living in a fool's paradise. Otherwise what can explain their strange idea of issuing only 5-day tickets for a test match? And what about the conditions at the ground? Earlier in the 90s and 80s, TV coverage was next to NIL, so people used to throng the grounds to see their heroes in action. Now TV has penetrated deeply into even rural areas. People would go to see test matches at stadium only if it offered them better value than TV, which it hardly does. Shoddy seating, terrible ventilation, absence of decent toilets, no drink, no food, really who but a hardcore fan would go to tests in such conditions, when all they need is to sit back, relax on a sofa and click the remote?

BCCI need to spend atleast a fraction of their zillions on improving spectator comforts, or there will come a day when Test matches have to be filled in by giving half day leave for schools nearby and offering them free entry. A pathetic day that will be.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

I blame TV. Why sit at a ground for a whole day when you can have it running at home?

 

[mukund_nadkarni]

Just wait until the TV coverage becomes even more pathetic, then maybe the crowds will return!

 

[Gilly Fan]

I blame TV. Why sit at a ground for a whole day when you can have it running at home?

Because you can be part of the atmosphere, and you are much happier when a wicket falls, or runs are made.

 

[mukund_nadkarni]

Because you can be part of the atmosphere, and you are much happier when a wicket falls, or runs are made.

I agree, but at most Indian venues you'll be made to suffer in equal measure. And the people are no longer willing to be regarded as just another herd of cattle by the almighty BCCI!