On the first day Australia A played the England Lions in a four day cricket match this year, it was as if social isolation had already begun.
Even the seagulls didn’t turn up. The small crowd arriving at the MCG may well have taken a wrong turn on their way to an afternoon of pub darts. As Jackson Bird ran in to deliver that first ball, the outside traffic was louder than the crowd.
You had to be reading the fine print on social media to know the game was even on. The woman on the one ticket booth open to the public was surprised I was there.
Given the lack of any queue I half expected her to tell me play was abandoned. That the umpires had slept in, quite possibly like the rest of Melbourne.
I’m surprised at how tour matches receive so little publicity and interest. It’s a chance to see teams with a range of playing experience, from aspiring to accomplished.
No doubt the same could be said for Sheffield Shield fixtures. I attended a final many years ago between Victoria and Queensland. With over 7000 people turning up, by domestic competition standards it was a bumper crowd.
The last game I went to I however counted a crowd of 246. (There were probably more hospitality staff).
Yet Sheffield Shield games offer some of what attracts us to Test matches. Over four days it is a longer form of the game, with all the possibilities of changing fortunes less often found in one day and T20 games.
There’s the subtleties of the pitch changing and evolving, the chance to see the brilliance of a Peter Siddle or the potential of a Marcus Harris. But no one shows up.
Why don’t we attend first class matches? (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
It seems also tour matches have all but faded away. Last season New Zealand arrived to contest the first Test without a single warm up game. In doing so, they deprived themselves of any opportunity to adapt to our pitches and especially our conditions.
Just to be out in the Australian heat may have prepared them for the temperatures of the first Test. By then Australia was battle hardened, having completed a series against Pakistan. Why did New Zealand not play a single tour match before the first Test?
Was it the pressure of the schedule or were they supremely confident after their home series victory over England?
We’re used to the Cricket Australia XI games against touring teams. They are often comprising up and comers yet to even play a first class match.
(Or if not, a chance to tell the grand kids about that time I made 10 not out against Pakistan). It’s been suggested that utilising these teams rather than state sides deprives touring teams of quality opposition which improves Australia’s chances of a series win. (Unfortunately at the cost of a more hard fought and satisfying series).
In 2010 Andrew Strauss-led England to a triumphant Ashes series victory over Australia. A key to his success was considered to be a thorough schedule of tour matches prior to the first Test, allowing England to settle in and be ready.
As well, a tour match against Victoria was scheduled after the first Test to enable any fine tuning. A rampant England bowled Australia out for 98 in the first innings of the Boxing Day test, demonstrating the benefits of their thorough preparation. Interestingly, few if any teams since then have followed the same rigorous preparation.
Australia’s record at the Gabba would be the envy of many sporting teams. That unbeaten record stretches back to 1988 (losing to the West Indies that year). As wonderful as that record is, it is most likely assisted by teams arriving there under prepared and still finding their feet during the first Test.
In this time of maximising profits, showcasing sponsors and relentless tour schedules, we’ve lost the interesting build towards a Test series that tour matches provide. For many years we’ve stopped attending our Shield competition.
Is a little advertising warranted? Probably unlikely after the reported state of Cricket Australia’s budget. In these times of being time poor and plain tired, perhaps we are too busy to attend state or tour fixtures. And maybe, just maybe, the game – as well as ourselves – are worse for it.
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
Thanks Samuel. I'm sure you're absolutely right and I'd certainly prefer international over domestic. I suppose the domestic (or more to the point tour matches) offer a few attractions that I think have the potential to bring a bigger crowed. Seeing the touring team, watching a few potential test or accomplished state players go about their work, enjoying a smaller crowd and just being able to immerse yourself. Of course that's more easily said than done when there's no tour matches scheduled....
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
I was probably in the same crowd! Although seems a long time since there's been the option of seeing a tour match at the MCG. Whilst in the article I mentioned New Zealand not having a tour match before the first test, they hurriedly organised a two day game after the opening test, probably in response to losing heavily. But I seem to recall the second day was abandoned because of heat. The match was played in the ground of a private school. Anyone could go along but the fact it was there demonstrated the difficulty in finding a venue
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
The tours often started with that didn't they. We heard it had quite a carnival atmosphere. What a shame it wasn't continued.
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
Thanks Dave. I recall the touring English teams once playing all the states, sometimes twice. This probably goes back to the early 1970s mind you. People may well have attended as back then there weren't the shorter forms of the game to go along to, as you say.
Samuel Laffy
Roar Guru
I haven't done any research into it, but I'd say a fair bit of lack of attendance comes down to the fact that people prioritise 'top level' (or perceived 'top level') bias when it comes to choosing the games they attend. When there's a Test, ODI or T20 a person or family can attend for their couple of games of cricket each summer (of which in Melbourne there's normally at least one of each format played per summer) they'll pick international over domestic. Same for AFL vs. state-league SANFL/WAFL/VFL too. Often the standard is comparable, but crowds are much, much less. And - seen most in Melbourne from my experience as an occasional Rebels supporter - huge differences in crowds between domestic and international rugby union. That being said, tour matches are outrageously important to making a series between two teams actually be competitive (outside of the odd touring side that plays out of its skin). There should definitely be more!
Mooty
Roar Rookie
Not being a fan of crowds I used to go to tour matches at the MCG or the Junction Oval, where you would see most of the touring team and usually a pretty full strength Victorian team. Good games relax in the sun without being bothered by anyone particularly drunks in the days of full strength beer
Marty
Roar Rookie
It’s a real shame, the Lilac Hill game used to be a great day out on the Swan.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Certainly an advantage for touring teams to have more warmup games. Tours today are a far cry from the age of sailing to England for an Ashes tour. In 1934, for example, they were away for over 6 months and played 33 matches including the five Tests. This for people who were essentially amateurs. And of course, going back in time, Sheffield Shield Games up until the 60s often drew crowds in the thousands. The obvious change since then is that the advent of TV, plus there are ODIs and T20s to attend in person, and a more attractive proposition than seeing part of a four day Shield match. I’m not sure we’re any more time poor than people back in the day, perhaps less so. It’s more a question of a proliferation of leisure outlets and opportunities.
Tom
Shield and the One day cup matches have been free at most venues for years now, as were the Aus A and CAXI matches against the Lions recently. Off the top of my head I think the WACA and junction have been the only venues to charge for entry recently and even then it's only been $5-10
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
Thanks for your comment Suspect. Your comment reminds me that years ago Channel 9 used to broadcast the Australia A game played against the touring team. It would normally be prior to the first test. I used to look forward to it after months of no cricket. It was a chance of seeing up and comers, have a preview of the touring team and overall appreciate a bit of cricket without worrying too much about who would win or lose as the tests were yet to start. Now that Channel 7 (and 9) have additional channels, you'd think it would be straightforward to broadcast a couple of first class games. Maybe ratings don't justify it. Thanks again.
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
Think you are right Ryan. We are probably just too busy, or recovering from being too busy. Whilst I am pretty pleased to sit in the sun even if the cricket is slow motion, everyone else is most likely cleaning the gutters or on Facebook.
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
I think the games are relatively cheap to attend Paul. If I recall correctly, it's only $5 for the day's play. Not much in the way of food and drink to find, given the small crowd. Although at least your seat will still be there when you return! I suspect the games these days only attract the purist. Probably the person walking the dog around a suburban or rural ground who will be happy to sit and watch a few overs. A tour match at the MCG would happen maybe once in three years. I saw a young Victorian opener second name Dean make a century against Andrew Strauss' side in a tour match. Moments like that bring you back
Suspect
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the article, Peter. I know they say its scheduling but it would be nice for at least one 4 day first class tour game prior to first test of every series and televise it. Good for both countries Speaking of which, some TV highlights on free to air plus some appearances by test players is the only way there will be any interest at all, but it is more likely a thing of the past. I have been to several tests in NZ....the lack of grandstands is great for a day at cricket, as is the ticket price and ability to buy decent beer and food. So perhaps there is something in that for the Shield
AREH
Roar Guru
It's sad, but we probably won't see the Shield ever treated as seriously as it used to be, again. Attending these matches, for most, seems unappealing, and has been the case for some time. It's strange; it costs little to nothing, it is still high quality four-day cricket with some Internationals almost always on display. Maybe a sign of the times and attitudes more than anything.
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
I'm totally on board with what you say Rellum. Would have to think this would produce more competitive series and help address the large home side advantage found in most countries. No doubt some places would still prepare pitches that aren't necessarily helpful (a seaming pitch for a tour match for example when during the tests the ball will turn) but there'd still be the time allowed for adjusting to the new conditions. Appreciated your comment
Paul
Roar Guru
Again, I go back to how well the arrangements worked last year Peter. The warmups must have helped guys like Smith, while playing county cricket clearly helped Labuschagne. What I'm not clear about with tour games in Australia, are there any incentives for people to attend? I remember decades ago if you were a kid, you got in for free, both to tour games and Shield games. Throw in some free merchandising or prizes and I reckon a few more might turn up.
Peter Farrar
Roar Pro
Thanks Paul. There is the possibility the players, especially the highly experienced ones find these matches a nuisance. Then again, if your form hasn't been the best it is a way of working through that. Plus too when a spot is up for grabs, a tour match can help decide who should take the position. Thanks again for your thoughts.
Rellum
Roar Guru
If teams want to win here they should insist on at least three tour games against full strength Shield teams. You wont win if you dont play those games. Australia hasnt won in England since we stopped playing tour games. If India demanded it the games would hapoen and evey one else would follow but they have their own tight schedule which is really the problem and why the ICC should fully take over the schedule.
Paul
Roar Guru
It would be interesting to see what the players think about this. I go back to last years Ashes series and the way CA set up that part of the tour was excellent. They had guys already over playing County cricket, then other guys hung around once the World Cup was over, so there was effectively the best 26 Aussie cricketers getting aclimatised to English conditions. I'm sure this played a huge part in the teams later Ashes success.