Cricket fans at Optus Stadium on Day 2 of the first Ashes Test between Australia and England in Perth.
UPDATE: Optus Stadium’s boss, Mike McKenna, has urgently called out Cricket Australia and England for not seizing the chance to hold a one-day international match following the shockingly short two-day Test in Perth. This unprecedented finish has left Cricket Australia facing a staggering $4 million in losses due to ticket refunds and lost hospitality revenue.
Just 500 tickets were left unsold for the third day of the Test, leading the stadium to donate a record amount of surplus food to OzHarvest. McKenna argues that both teams failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity to engage fans, stating, “The question is – people pay for tickets – why wasn’t there an opportunity to fill the space with another form of cricket?”
The implications of this decision are significant. Fans traveled long distances and booked accommodations, with the average tourist spending seven days in Perth for the cricket experience. McKenna emphasized the disappointment, noting, “They’d rather be seeing the cricket.”
The last-minute suggestion echoes a historical precedent from 1971 when Australia and England played a one-day international after the first three days of a Melbourne Test were washed out. McKenna lamented the missed chance to grow cricket in Western Australia, especially with a large turnout of Barmy Army fans. “This may not come again for four years,” he warned.
Despite the high drama of the Test, which saw record attendance and an average of 2.3 million viewers for the final session, Cricket Australia expressed regret that day three ticket holders missed out on action. A spokesperson acknowledged the disappointment but noted that the excitement generated by players like Travis Head and Mitch Starc would have a lasting impact on cricket engagement this summer.
McKenna criticized the modern contractual landscape of cricket, suggesting that the risks involved make it difficult to organize spontaneous matches. His passionate remarks reflect the frustration among fans and stakeholders who expected more from the Ashes series.
As cricket enthusiasts reflect on this missed opportunity, the focus now shifts to how Cricket Australia and governing bodies will respond to fan engagement in future matches. Will they take the necessary steps to ensure that such a situation does not repeat? The cricket community is watching closely.
