South Africa versus Australia, in Test match terms, is often as good as it gets.
From the back-to-back series in 1993-94 which saw the two countries properly introduced after more than two decades of necessary separation, to the repeated surrendering of home advantage which has been the trend in recent years, the fare served up has been highly-skilled and dripping in testosterone-drenched competitiveness.
It is just how international sport should be. Two proud nations, with a mutual respect for each other, going hammer and tongs in the search for southern hemisphere supremacy.
In fact, exactly the sort of thing that is well worth watching. Well, not if the morning attendance at Kingsmead is anything to go by.
When the teams lined up before the first days’ play of a keenly anticipated series, it would have been an insult to the word ‘crowd’ to describe it those terms given the pitifully small number of punters present.
Clubs forced to host behind closed doors football fixtures welcome more through the door and the turnstile operators in Durban probably won’t ever earn an easier morning’s corn.
It was quite sad to witness and there will inevitably be plenty written, just like this I suppose, regarding the format’s future and whether, indeed, it actually has one.
Add to the mix the recent decisions of Alex Hales and Adil Rashid to effectively jettison any idea of adding to their Test cap tallies by putting all their respective eggs in the white ball basket, and you can quite easily put two and two together and come up with doom and gloom.
The conundrum doesn’t have a straightforward answer as these scenarios rarely do, but any doubts surrounding where the oldest format fits into the bigger picture can only be amplified by such occurrences.
[latest_videos_strip category=”cricket” name=”Cricket”]
This is only a snapshot and it’s worth mentioning that Test attendances in South Africa are not, on average, particularly great and it’s a surprise that it has taken so long for high-profile players to publicly pin their colours exclusively to the limited overs mast.
But trends have a habit of gaining pace and traction and in these days of countless opinion and judgement from myriad angles, it doesn’t take long before a murmur becomes a conversation becomes a groundswell becomes a deafening shout.
Factor into the equation the unchecked proliferation of Twenty20 tournaments and there is a decreasing amount of space to be occupied.
Boards the world over will happily take the dollar coming in from the shorter format while continuing to schedule a glut of international fixtures; something will, at some point, have to give.
The worry for those who appreciate the traditional side of things is that when it gets to the stage of the new kid on the block commanding more and more attention and more and more financial clout then it’s older relative, which will win the day?
(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
For all the talk of those in control of preserving the sport’s heritage, of maintaining the primacy of Test cricket, there is enough evidence to suggest this is not manifested in action.
Boxing Day Tests giving way to limited overs games, T20 internationals encroaching on Test matches and unsympathetic scheduling; it isn’t hard to find if you’re prepared to look.
Test series are still being played, there is a global calendar in place and the playing pool is swelling with new nations entering the fray.
That has to be seen as a good thing and Ireland and Afghanistan’s upcoming bows in the five-day game, at home to Pakistan and away in India respectively, are events to look forward to but it is undoubtedly an uncertain world to which they will be entering.
Warning signs are there but they are flashing brighter than ever.
There is no reason why there can’t be a harmonious existence between all cricket has to offer and a paltry attendance on one day of Test cricket and a couple of cricketers not wanting to wash their whites any more should probably be taken simply as things that happen and not the harbingers of Armageddon.
But in the not too distant future there will decisions to be made and let’s hope the swathes of empty Kingsmead seats aren’t an unwelcome metaphor for the direction the wind is heading.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
I don't think the crowd attendance alone is a gauge of test match popularity. With TV coverage as good as it is, I know a lot of people who prefer to watch on TV even if the match is down the road. Nice comfortable couch, air con, great view of the wicket, replays, expert analysis and a ten second walk to the fridge. Who would want to go to the ground?? Also the main revenue for cricket comes from tv rights anyway, so too much emphasis is placed on crowd figures. The crowd are just supporting actors in the show anyway. Still absolutely love test cricket even more than T20!
Barry
Guest
The crowds are not a reflection on test cricket, the country is in turmoil, I think the cricketing public in SA have a lot more things to worry about and it is a sad time.
Saurebh Gandle
Roar Guru
http://www.theroar.com.au/2018/02/24/common-sense-understanding-pulse-crowd/ These are my suggestions.I agree with points in your write up.
Art Vandelay
Guest
The crowd will no doubt double today. Ie. about 3,000 might turn up. I remember a few years ago, SA pushing for a Boxing Day Test against Australia on their home turf. That request was justifiably dismissed. No chance then, absolutely zero chance now.
Kangajets
Guest
Definitely an overload
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
My thoughts exactly. A Test series in March is not going to attract anywhere near as many spectators during the week as a series held in December/January when people take annual leave. There were bumper crowds for the Ashes test series for precisely this reason. But there may be some differences in Test support in different countries for other reasons. Test cricket is well supported in Australia and England but have dropped off in SA, NZ and India. Crowds appear to be happy to go to all forms of cricket in Australia and England but have been drawn mainly to the T20 format in others. I don't really have a handle on why. Are there cultural differences or is it due to the strength of the Ashes rivalry?
vikram
Guest
most grounds in s.AFRICA are in big cities. In india its opposite. even smaller places in india also got grounds. so in india its cricket reaches ppl. in s.AFRICA ppls needs to reach to cricket. Australia is different as its a developed country. i m from KHEDA GUJARAT. i got 3 international stadiums awaliable under 60km. BARODA . AHMEDABAD. and MOTERA. so its easy for me to watch cricket from ground .
vikram
Guest
there is a core difference between INDIA and S.AFRICA . INDIA got grounds at smaller places S.AFRICAN ground are in only big cities. so in india cricket goes to ppl. and in s.Africa ppls needs to reach cricket. i m from KHEDA for me 3 international stadiums awaliable under 60 km. AHMEDAD, MOTERA, and BARODA Australia is different as its a developed country. s.AFRICA and INDIA is not developed, ......
Sandy
Guest
Where did you get your figures from JAJI?
BrainsTrust
Guest
Have you actually watched a T20 international in Australia? Last time Australia played SOuth Africa in T20;s they got poor crowds at big venues about 20k, The problem is people don't feel a T20 international is worth the premium price tag.
sheek
Guest
The poor crowds means test cricket is dying. I used to love my test cricket, but even I'm losing interest. Part of it information overload fatigue. There is so much of every sport thrust in our faces, that I simply watch very little of any of it. There's no defined season anymore, each sport, they're all on continuous loop. Say 20 years ago, you still had some time to savour a home series just concluded before looking forward to the next overseas series. Each sport allowed time to reflect & digest what had happened, & whet the appetite for the next contest. Not any more, it's a revolving door of 24/7 sports. I'm sure some people love it. But I have come to loathe the overkill. There's a parable about killing the goose that laid the golden egg. I guess no-one in administration nor media will care while they can still bleed the fans dry of their money.
DavSA
Guest
Thursday and Monday should have been opened up free of charge . This would have brought many schoolkids in for the afternoon session as well as many who may be unemployed but will have wanted to see some cricket .
DavSA
Guest
Cricket is the fastest growing sport in South Africa in terms of player numbers and participation . It is changing its identity as has the country done in general . Cricket looks pretty healthy and carries almost none of the political baggage anymore than rugby or other sports still do.
Neil
Guest
South Africans, financially, are not really in a position to take a random Thursday off for cricket. It's that simple. I wouldn't read too much into it. I can almost guarantee all the fans were glued to cricinfo or streaming on the work pc's.
DavSA
Guest
Yes Johnno I neglected to put that in my post regarding school holidays. Usually SA vs AUS test matches are scheduled in a holiday period with good reason.
Johnno
Guest
A few reasons.. 1) tEST CRICKET IN march not in school holidays Dec-Jan 2)SA makes big money from test cricket watching, it's a TV sport in SA, crowds aren't important there..
DavSA
Guest
The crowd support in Durban was very poor but there are 2 reasons for this . Firstly most supporters will be at work , I expect Friday after lunch to significantly increase and Saturday and Sunday to be pretty full . Whatever the situation is on Monday there will be poor numbers again. Reason 2 is the amount of times these two teams play each other across all formats . It is no longer unique enough to put in a days leave to watch cricket .
Paul
Guest
fair enough Glenn, wasn't aware of the prices. Thanks for that.
Mario
Guest
South Africa is by Australian standards a poor country .Traditionally cricket spectators overwhelmingly came from the white middle class and that group become fewer every year Pretty simple really .Just look at Zimbabwe where the national team still fields plenty of whites even though whites are very few and far between .Seth Africa does have a decent non white cricketing community but the sport will slide down the pecking order over time . Also S.A. cricketers will increasingly and understandably look to make money from their skills perhaps after a short Test career or perhaps not
Perry Bridge
Guest
That when it's the end of the RSA financial year on a ruddy hot weekday in Durban that you ought not expect too many people to come out. Further illustration of the value of pink ball DN tests to allow busy working people to get down later in the day. And - Australia - we can make a song and dance about it - however - if the Boxing Day test at the MCG started Day 1 on a working week day - the crowd would be much less - especially were it not during the holiday period. (I suspect - although, put enough grog on and as a Oaks day illustrates during the Spring Carnival - you can still draw a crowd for one day).