Without getting too political, those in favour don’t want to see governing bodies or organisations lying down to a minority, vocal as they are.
The reality is for this year Australia’s test team will be in Sri Lanka at about that time (actual dates TBD) for a vital 2 test series with WTC Final qualification on the line potentially for both teams (SL also have a key series in South Africa before then), so the chances of meaningful cricket being played on the date this year were close to zero (BBL is NOT meaningful to me, can’t even tell you who won last year).
ODI at the MCG today, officially starting the 2024-2025 ‘summer of cricket’ (men’s), Australia v Pakistan. Is there usually a match on the Monday pre-Melbourne Cup day? Seems a bit odd, given flavour is all about the races ATM especially with tomorrow and considering their call last week RE: avoiding a tennis clash in Jan. Seems to be CA were up to their usual tricks and took advantage of what is known as the ‘fake’ or ‘unofficial’ long weekend in Victoria today (technically it’s a normal work/school/uni day unless a curriculum day, taking leake or chuck a sickie but many might ask for a med cert).
It’s strange that the ODI and T20 series against Pakistan is still yet to have a naming sponsor, hours before the first match at the MCG this afternoon. I wonder what the trophy will look like.
UPDATE: CA website has published a photo of team captains Pat Cummins and Muhammad Rizwan with the series trophy.
With no naming rights sponsor for the ODI series (I believe the first time since naming rights sponsorship was introduced) the following sponsors have filled the void
Stumps- cricket.com.au
On field - KFC
Sightscreen advertising board - CommBank
25k at the MCG. from just watching and listening to the crowd it was maybe majority fans like 55-45 (similar to most matches vs teams like ) but could be wrong since I’m not at the ground
Australia beat Pakistan by two wickets in the first ODI at the MCG tonight. It was a crazy run chase by the Aussies. After losing two early wickets, Steve Smith and Josh Inglis put on a scoring spree, so much so the home side reached 100 in the 15th over. Pakistan then fought back with five quick wickets, including 3/0 in five balls as Haris Rauf wreaked havoc. Pat Cummins then steadied the run chase making an unbeaten 32, helping his team to reach the 204 target with 99 balls to spare.
In the afternoon session, Cummins took 2/39 and player of the match Mitchell Starc grabbed 3/33 as Pakistan were bowled out for 203 in 46.4 overs.
Being exclusively behind a paywall was terrible. Also i have to ask what were tucket prices like?
I’m going to the T20 International at the SCG and that set me back $70. Thankfully with the inclusion of public transport i can offset that by getting the train down from Newcastle.
Not a horrible crowd, almost respectable (which is 30k imo) but with the matches being played in big grounds it loses the look (level 4 closed) & also the atmosphere
Yep. The ODIs have dramatically fallen off a cliff in Australia since Nine lost the rights and it went behind a paywall. Crowds are down and CA now can’t find a sponsor for the series for the first time ever. What CA should do is take the ODIs regionally where they would then get solid crowds but play them at times and days.
fans like 55-45 (similar to most matches vs teams like 
