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Cricket (Sport)

Lowest Opening-Day Test Crowds in Modern Times Expected

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

David Hopps reports that the England and Wales Cricket Board is bracing itself for one of the lowest opening-day Test crowds in modern times, with fewer than 5,000 tickets sold in advance for the second nPower Test against West Indies at Chester-le-Street. The low sales are attributed to various factors, including the north-east's obsession with the Premier League relegation fight, the recession, and the unattractive winter series between England and West Indies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The advance ticket sales for the second nPower Test against West Indies at Chester-le-Street are expected to be fewer than 5,000, a low figure in modern times.
  • The north-east's obsession with the Premier League relegation fight, particularly with Newcastle United, Sunderland, and Middlesbrough potentially losing their status, has impacted ticket sales.
  • The recession and the unattractive winter series between England and West Indies have also contributed to the low sales.
  • The England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) strategy of protecting a seven-Test summer against the Indian Premier League (IPL) will come under scrutiny due to the low sales.
  • The West Indies tour was secured after a hastily arranged deal due to uncertainty over Sri Lanka's participation.
  • The ECB will not suffer financially due to the bidding process, but the low sales will be embarrassing.

Statistics:

  • Fewer than 5,000 tickets sold in advance for the second nPower Test against West Indies at Chester-le-Street.
  • 20,000 advance tickets sales are optimistic for Durham, with a potential loss of £500,000 if these sales are not met.
  • The winter series between England and West Indies was not attractive, with a series of defensive, drawn matches.
  • The current recession is a contributing factor to the low ticket sales.
  • The weather forecast is expected to be fine for the first two days, with temperatures of 11C, but rain is predicted on Saturday.

Sources:

  • David Hopps, "Cricket: ECB faces embarrassment as Test crowds decline," The Times, [No Date Provided].
  • English Cricket Board, [No Date Provided].
  • Durham Cricket Club, [No Date Provided].

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