Proteas v West Indies

Gerald Coetzee claimed three wickets to help the Proteas take the advantage after Day 2 of the second Test against the West Indies. Photo: Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix

Test cricket demise: Fans must take some of the blame

A lack of fans watching Test cricket live at the grounds is a key reason why the Proteas won’t be playing regularly.

Proteas v West Indies

Gerald Coetzee claimed three wickets to help the Proteas take the advantage after Day 2 of the second Test against the West Indies. Photo: Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix

A lack of fans watching Test cricket live at the grounds is a key reason why the Proteas won’t be playing regularly.

There has been a stinging criticism launched at local fans following another poorly attended series against the West Indies.

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Clear message to Proteas fans: Come watch Test cricket live

But Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Pholetsi Moseki has offered another side to the story.

“We just hosted the West Indies for Tests; you saw for yourself on TV, the grounds were totally empty, we were not even 10 or 20% full,” Moseki told IOL.

“If you go to England or Australia, Test cricket is still supported, the stadiums are still full.”

The Proteas’ only other assignment in the ‘whites’ this year will be against India on Boxing Day.

“A lot of people say we don’t play enough Tests, but they don’t even show up for the few Test matches that we have.Why aren’t cricket lovers coming to watch Tests? They fill up the stadiums for ODIs and T20Is, and the marketing is more or less the same.”

Barmy Army full our grounds and it’s frustrating

“The only time Test cricket gets a full stadium in South Africa is when we play England, and even there it’s only the Barmy Army and that is quite frustrating.

“I love watching Test cricket, but unfortunately it’s not just about the emotions, there’s also finances that need to be covered. If it made financial sense to play three or more Tests against all opposition teams, then we’d be doing that.”

The Proteas have India arriving at the end of the year and while there are three ODIs and three T20Is there will be only two Test matches.

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The chief executive says that those paying to show the games on TV notice the lack of fans in attendance during five day games. But that isn’t the case when it is limited overs being played.

“To them, it’s clear South Africans love white-ball cricket more than Tests, so they will pay us more for white-ball games and less for Tests,” added Moseki.

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He confirmed that the board must play as much white ball cricket to bring in the money.

“You’ve got limited calendar time available for us and the touring team, thus we have to make sure the games themselves make some sort of money for the entity. You have to take all these things into account going into formulating an FTP.”

Proteas won’t be playing much

The Proteas will only play 28 Tests over the next five-year cycle of the ICC’s future tours programme (FTP) and have no three-match series scheduled until they host England in 2026.

Even fast bowler Kagiso Rabada criticised the team’s schedule.

“It is a disappointing aspect, especially if you look at our team and the potential we possess. The only way we can get better is by playing as much Test cricket as possible,” Rabada said.

“I would like to see a change in the future. If you look at all the other nations, they are playing a lot more Test cricket. It needs to be prioritised a lot more. I am not in charge of that, but at least I can ask.”

Proteas fan
Proteas young fan makes a plan. Image: Twitter screenshot

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