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There’s absolutely no argument that pro-rata to population Melbourne is without parallel as the greatest sporting spectator city on the planet, and it’s been the case for a long time.
Around the mid-90s, 3.5 million attended the Melbourne Cricket Ground for various sporting events every year, which was more than the entire population of Melbourne at the time.
Like the 121,000 for 1970 VRL grand final between Carlton and Collingwood, or the 100,022 for this years AFL decider between the West Coast Eagles, and Collingwood.
There was 91,513 for the second rugby league State of Origin in 2015, and 90,119 for a Bledisloe Cup clash in 1997.
Cricket is right up there with the big crowds like the 93,013 for the 2015 World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand, and the 91,112 for the Boxing Day Ashes Test in 2013.
Yesterday was even more proof when 73,516 clicked the turnstiles for the Boxing Day third Test opener between Australia and India when a five-day total of only 81,054 attended the first Test at Adelaide – and 112,868 for five days at the new state-of-the-art Optus Stadium in Perth for its Test debut.
To put those figures in perspective, Adelaide’s record cricket crowd for a day is 55,317 for the second day of the second Ashes Test last year, while Optus’ record is 53,781 for an Australia-England ODI last February.
But the MCG had better be careful.
Last year the only draw in the five-Test Ashes series was at the MCG, where it received a rebuke from the ICC that the wicket wasn’t up to international standard, and if there were any more rebukes, the MCG would be in danger of being taken off the list of Test grounds.
Can you imagine the uproar if the MCG Boxing Day Test against any touring side was wiped off the map?
But yesterday’s MCG wicket died a natural death before a ball was bowled, it would be ideal for a timeless Test, the likes of which hasn’t been seen since 1939, thanks to the cricketing gods.
It was the fifth and final Test between South Africa and England when it was abandoned after nine days because the Englishmen had to catch the last boat for weeks in Durban to return home.
For the record South Africa scored 503 and 481, England replied with 316, and 5-654, requiring 696 to win.
England won the series 1-0.
Back to the real world where Indian opener Mayank Agarwal deserved a century yesterday on debut but was dismissed for 76 off 161 with eight fours, and a six.
There were only 20 fours, and a six, among the 534 deliveries yesterday – it was a war of attrition.
(AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Australian speedster Pat Cummins was the only bowler to extract any ‘life’ out of the strip, claiming the only two wickets for 40 to fall among his 19 overs.
Play resumes today with India 2-215 with Cheteshwar Pujara on 68 off 200, and skipper Virat Kohli 47 off 107, having been dropped by his opposite number late in the day off Mitchell Starc.
And even though 36 degrees is the forecast today, there will still be a huge crowd at the ‘G’, it’s all part of the tradition that is exclusive to the iconic venue.
Long may that be the case in tandem with the Australian Tennis Open, the first Slam of the year, the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, the AFL grand final and the Melbourne Cup.