If the T20 World Cup told us anything, it was that too much cricket is being played to expect people to be flocking to games in the numbers they once did.
The two-Test series between Australia and the West Indies stands to be a key fortnight for Cricket Australia and its coffers, with grave fears existing that the opening Test in Perth could be one of the most poorly attended matches on Australian soil in recent memory.
The match will begin on a Wednesday, be played outside the local school holiday period and feature a touring team likely to find things very challenging against a group of well-rested Australians.
After the nation’s disappointment of the failed T20 World Cup tilt on home soil, the Australian Test cricket team will be frothing at the mouth to dominate yet another down under summer, with another flat-track bully performance likely against the improving West Indies.
At the time of writing, the tourists were battling away courageously against the Prime Minister’s IX at Manuka Oval in Canberra, 87 behind on the first innings, as the locals stretched the advantage further on the third afternoon. The visitors will hopefully be dangled a carrot in terms of a fourth innings chase.
It has been an interesting game of cricket thus far, with the second-string Aussie line-up exerting a superiority with the bat on the opening day and performing well with the ball to clean up the visitors for just 235 early on Friday morning.
Most concerning for West Indies is the fact that just two of their top order batsmen managed to reach double figures, with Kraigg Brathwaite (47) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (119) doing the bulk of the scoring and exciting wicket-keeper Joshua Da Silva rustling up 25 runs as the third-highest scorer of the innings.
Whilst the successful Test series at home against Bangladesh back in June was promising, with Kyle Mayers, John Campbell, Jermaine Blackwood and Brathwaite all averaging over 50 across the two matches, the opposition performed poorly in 10 and seven-wicket wins for the home side.
Earlier in March, the Windies stunned England in the Caribbean with a 1-0 series win that bled into the confidence shown against Bangladesh.
It also provided some hope that the touring party destined to arrive in Australia for a brisk pre-Christmas Test series would be well up for the challenge and capable of taking the Aussies into fourth and fifth days.
Sadly, from what we have seen thus far from the West Indians, there is all likelihood that the Aussies could be up for yet another rout on home turf and the repercussions in terms of fans being keen to attend the Tests rather serious for Cricket Australia.
Big Bash seasons that extend far longer than they should, Test series not involving England or India proving tough to sell tickets to and a chasm deepening between the general public and the men who represent Australia on the field, have all conspired to make the upcoming series with West Indies a potential dud, should the visitors struggle from day 1.
Brathwaite has some quality about him, yet averages just 34.45 in Test cricket, Chanderpaul is likely to debut in Perth, whilst Nkrumah Bonner, Shamarh Brooks and Mayers average under 40 at Test level and could well be cannon fodder for the Australian quicks.
There were promising signs from spinner Roston Chase and paceman Alzarri Joseph in the nation’s capital, yet spearhead Kemar Roach looks no more dangerous at his now 34 years of age than on previous tours and the Windies may be hoping for a significant contribution from the young, raw, but impressive Jayden Seales.
Fingers crossed, the West Indies put up a good fight and Western Australian fans are keen to head down to Optus Stadium to soak up the subsequent contest. Cricket Australia will have absolutely everything crossed in the same hope.
Sadly, a thumping 2-0 win to the Australians seems far more likely, along with a mostly vacant stadium.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
What's worse is Pakistan may be much the same next summer if their last tour here and recent home tests are much to go by . India new Zealand england need to come every other year at present although sth Africa just need to restock their batting line up as bowlers had a tough run in sun last test
Sam 3 Can
Guest
As long as they all take a knee , who cares about the cricket .Right ?
Mark Baptist
Guest
Very good point: as for transcending the actual Test opponent being played, you don't get too many of these fixtures (believe me, I would be asking that Ireland play Australia for Boxing Day if that was the case).
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
They lost there against NZ and SA in the last ten years.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Part 2 of this arrogance will come after, possibly years after, this season when some AoE creature will pronounce that Sinney/Melburg should have two Tests per season because "figures show that attendances have been so poor elsewhere". You heard it here first.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
What a joke it is. The only test cricket in Perth this summer starting on a Wednesday and may well be over before the weekend. Another giant middle finger from CA to WA cricket supporters. Could be worse. Spare a thought for Tassie. They get a Test about every 2.5 years. Idle Fact about Bellerieve... Australia's record there is 12 wins and 2 draws from 14 Tests.
Mark Baptist
Guest
It sounds harsh, yes, but unfortunately Cricket Australia screwed up royally on this season's fixture - I take it you read the Emily Bates comment by the sound of things. As it stands, South Africa will be left needing to save the summer (one way or another).
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The Officer's MESS?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Ouch!
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Adelaide has the benefit of a "guaranteed" d/n Test fixture being part of the city's sporting experience in December. So I expect AO will get a good crowd, because it's a "known" social event (like "the Boxing Day Test", or "the New Years Test"), which transcends the actual Test opponent being played and one that people plan for as an annual event.
Mark Baptist
Guest
And what would the outlook be for the second Test in Adelaide?
Mark Baptist
Guest
Yes, we can do that, and I'll throw in the quote by Ms Bates as a review for free.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The media around sports has become so diffuse I'm not sure where it's all going to end
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Can we rename it the Mostly Empty Stadium Summer so it reads as the MESS it is?
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I didn't even realize they were playing until the results came through. Nowadays, tennis doesn't generate the same headlines as a talkative former cricket coach, sadly.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
It's a real drain on resources
Jeff
Roar Rookie
So you're like Perth with CA then. Having the p*ss taken out of you?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
We'll, it's been a long day. My health recovery is not always what it should be. My hip is getting slowly better. Urinary stuff is all over the place and quite yucky
Jeff
Roar Rookie
"sometimes think"?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
"All of your points are heading towards to the idea of a Test against the West Indies starting on a Wednesday being a complete pooch screw from beginning to end." 'yes'