posted Nov 5, 2010

I have lived in Sydney since the mid 90s and leading up to the 2000 Olympics most major sporting events were well supported.
However, once the gloss of the Olympics wore off there was a definite change. As many on here have quite rightly said ozzies are very fickle when it comes to supporting there local and national teams. One need only look at the sport of soccer (sic) and Sydney FC in Hyundai A-League this season. Last year they won the competiton and averaged between 15,000 and 20,000 per home game. This season they are rock bottom and can barely muster 8,000 at the SFS. Rugby Union is another sport which has disappeared off the radar due to lack of national success particularly against the old enemy, New Zealand.
However, with cricket there is another underlying problem which Robert Craddock in the Sydney Daily Telegraph pointed out this week. He said that a lot of the young ozzie players are overpaid, don't have the yards of state cricket behind them and seem more concerned about their appearance than their performance on the field.
It is hard to disagree with him when they have such a feeble leader as Michael Clarke. You could say it has been hard for the younger players to follow in the footsteps of Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist, Hayden etc but these guys earned their spurs through dedication and hard work. This young generation make a couple of good scores in an ODI and then find themselves on $1m contracts and driving around in flashy sports cars.
It appears that the Australian sporting public have little connection with these cashed-up, semi-talented brigade of new cricketers.

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posted Nov 5, 2010

The usual aussie rednecks like Duncan, Trapper, Zebedee won't be coming to this board anytime soon!!

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posted Nov 6, 2010

comment by gurugreg (U14604877)

"You need better visiting teams to attract spectators. Who will watch Srilankan team? Simple is that."

There is something even more basic. Sri lanka beat Oz. Who is the better side? The got hammered by India - who is the better side.

By your silly aurgument(gurugreg)the Oz crowd shoulsn't go an see their own side!

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posted Nov 6, 2010

comment by Brontosoreass (U13691893)

posted 11 Hours Ago


"Whats truley pathetic is that they always call the 'POMS' bad losers and can never accept their own bad form.

A lot of people are saying that if England do win it will be tainted as Australia are in such dire straights. But I don't see that seeing how they have won so many time against a completely pants English side. Their wins were never tainted."

Totally agree with you!!

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posted Nov 6, 2010

Attendances in Australia have been falling for a decade (apart from a spike for the 2006/7 Ashes).

ie During the height of Australia's dominance interest in cricket *actually fell*.

Cricket is not as popular here as it was when the Windies were thumping us during the 80's and 90's. People lost interest when the winning was too easy.

I find it amusing to hear these complaints about fickleness from English fans. How many of you lost interest in the football World Cup after England went out, and started talking about how the "real" football would start up again in August?

@Beaks: I'm sure Formula One's viewer figures in England for the last few races of the season won't be anywhere near as high as they would have been if Hamilton or Button was still in contention for the title.

I'm really not sure what Bronto is on about. I saw a great deal of coverage in the aftermath of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, most of it focusing on what a great match it was, and how there was no shame in losing when the Wallabies had fought to the end and put up such a titanic struggle.

And sorry Bronto, the Rugby League "World Cup" isn't worthy of the name. Not to disrespect NZ's achievement, but it's a competition between 2.5 teams that barely registers on the radar. International Rugby League is actually a huge step DOWN from State of Origin, and I'm pretty sure that Channel 9 would have switched to News and Weather (or possibly reruns of Two and a Half Men) even if Australia had won.

Personally I'd like to see the triangular ODI series brought back. It was always interesting to see which two teams would make the final and it was good to see more of the visiting teams. And the tournament format meant that it felt like it meant something. Series like the current one have about the same significance as a pre-season football friendly.

50 over ODI's (apart from the World Cup) are going to go the way of the dodo unless there is some kind of international table brought in, so each result has some actual meaning.

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posted Nov 6, 2010

Attendences were disappointing for the ODIs, T20s. There would be a bigger crowd in OZ if it were India-SL playing at the SCG...I would think. They have great expat support here.

Also, the weather has been dreadful...I arrived home to a downpour today. Ducks weather.

Maybe we Aussie fans are fickle (like everyone else, lol) but I'm sure the ODIs v England will be well attended - whether Australia is winning or losing.

OK...maybe 20% down if we're losing. We're not all masochists you know!

If there is some miracle turnaround in form during the early Ashes matches...then crowds should be healthy in Melbourne and Sydney for the Tests, ODIs and T20s.

Hopefully all the previous losses v India, SL, etc will soon be forgotten amongst the fans (except a few hundred million Indians, and a fair chunk of people on here of course, lol)

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posted Nov 6, 2010

If this sport is dying in Aussie land, cricket is better off without the arrogant Aussies. Of all places that is the worst place for any non-white teams to come play. It is sad to read some writing their demise due to drop in form, yet I say, the rest of the world has caught up and advanced beyond them. Unlike the Indians recently, Sri Lankans beat them in Aussie land. Well done boys.

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posted Nov 6, 2010

I know a fair number of australians and let me tell you it isnt pretty when their teams lose.

Losing gracefully is an art that the english are well versed in -mostly out of necessity- but the australians should learn from that.Gloryhunting is a vile trait.

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posted Nov 6, 2010

If this sport is dying in Aussie land, cricket is better off without the arrogant Aussies. Of all places that is the worst place for any non-white teams to come play. It is sad to read some writing their demise due to drop in form, yet I say, the rest of the world has caught up and advanced beyond them. Unlike the Indians recently, Sri Lankans beat them in Aussie land. Well done boys.
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Something decidedly porcine about that post. Each to their own I guess.

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posted Nov 7, 2010

Sinaha:

"cricket is better off without the arrogant Aussies. Of all places that is the worst place for any non-white teams to come play"


This post is impressive in that the poster has managed to fit a baseless accusation of racism and a prejudiced sentiment of his own into so few words.

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