Test cricket continues to be the premier format of the game. While T20Is, remain the most entertaining format, it is however red ball cricket that remains the go to format of the game for the passionate and nostalgic fans. With the advent of the limited format in recent times, the attraction for the game has switched to T20Is and ticket sales for Tests had dwindled down. But it is the India vs Australia, i.e. the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the Ashes that keep Test cricket alive.
England has been playing Sri Lanka at home in a 3-match Test series. While the Three Lions have already wrapped the series by taking an unassailable lead of 2-0, the economical revenue has taken a major hit. The first Test at Old Trafford and the second at the iconic Lord’s have seen an absence in sales of tickets. In fact, there are major doubts as to the third Test at Oval will see less than an half filled stadium on Day 4 of the third Test.
Now this is extremely contrary to two series that will take place later on in the season. While Test series not just in England, but also across the globe continues to suffer, India vs Australia, i.e. Border-Gavaskar Trophy and England vs Australia, i.e. The Ashes, continue to be the saving grace for Test cricket. The demands for the tickets in these two series continue to be at an all-time high.
Empty stadium at Oval?
Albeit the game is dead rubber, there are more than 13000 unsold tickets for Day 4 of the third Test between England vs Sri Lanka. And this is not the first time. The same has happened in the earlier two Test matches of the series as well. Now this has raised major questions at the ECB with English fans not flocking the stadium at Premier grounds like Manchester, Lord’s and now Oval.
Interestingly, the ticket prises of the series is however on the lower side, yet England fails to bring in fans on Day 4 of the Test matches. Now this has surely raised many questions about the format and the interest of the fans in red ball cricket.
However, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the Ashes are unperturbed. In fact, fans are eager to buy tickets for these mega series. The India vs Australia series will be held in Australia later this year in December. As for the Ashes, it will be held in December of 2025 in Australia.
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