Cricket Australia expects better attendance for second Test

Updated on: 04 December,2009 07:23 AM IST |
Khalid A-H Ansari | smdmail@mid-day.com

Cricket Australia is expecting better attendance today

Cricket Australia is expecting better attendance today

Last week Cricket Australia (CA) ruled out slashing prices for what are expected to be "three-day Tests" against the West Indies and Pakistan, given the home team's rampaging form and the poor performances of the opposition.

Australian fans enjoy a game of cricket. pic/Getty Images

Cricket Australia is reportedly looking at ways to put "bums on seats" every summer, regardless of the standard of competition.

Announcing consideration of a "loyalty programme" that will reward fans who brave the boring schedules by giving them first chance to buy tickets for "bonanza events" such as the Ashes, a CA spokesman said: "People who turn up every year will be at the head of the queue for the big years. We are expecting to come up with that process soon.

"Having said that nobody has given thought to reviewing ticket prices for this summer," he said.

A recent poll revealed that 82 per cent of fans felt ticket prices were too high, especially when Ricky Ponting's resurgent side takes on feeble opposition from the likes of the West Indies and Pakistan, as demonstrated in last week's Gabba Test and when Pakistan lost to unfancied New Zealand.

Pakistan have an impressive record in the Twenty20 form of the game but have lost three of their last four Tests and seven of their 12 one-day internationals.

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