Is Cricket losing its appeal to the general public.

[Dog_ger2]

Apart from ashes tours, are you interested?

[Magellan]

Howzat? Cricket losing its appeal? You're out!

[bennymacca]

I think cricket has been as good as it ever has been in terms of interest. The crowds are still very good, and the big bash is bringing new fans to the game.

The ODIs are one area where interest is waning imo

[Tony Clifton]

Not having all Australian international matches on free to air is a blow, as it was when the Big Bash was only on Foxtel.

If it's all pay tv then there is a danger that you 'middle class' the game. Needs to be accessible to the masses to broaden the appeal and keep it as part of the Australian consciousness.

[bennymacca]

Not having all Australian international matches on free to air is a blow, as it was when the Big Bash was only on Foxtel.

If it's all pay tv then there is a danger that you 'middle class' the game. Needs to be accessible to the masses to broaden the appeal and keep it as part of the Australian consciousness.

When was the last time a non ashes overseas test was in FTA tv? Not in my memory.

All local international games and the ashes are still FTA

[Corona Man]

Not having all Australian international matches on free to air is a blow, as it was when the Big Bash was only on Foxtel.

If it's all pay tv then there is a danger that you 'middle class' the game. Needs to be accessible to the masses to broaden the appeal and keep it as part of the Australian consciousness.

When was the last time a non ashes overseas test was in FTA tv? Not in my memory.

All local international games and the ashes are still FTA

I recall watching Australia play the Windies over there on FTA when Steve Waugh made a double ton and fat cat Greg Ritchie (who was in the crowd) jumped the fence ran out on the ground and shook his hand. Reckon it was channel 10. Late 90's?

[MW]

I personally have lost nearly all interest in Cricket.

[Booney]

I haven't lost interest in the game but I have lost interest in many of the meaningless tours our national side goes on.

I'm interested in the test series against England, South Africa, India and New Zealand and not much else. ODI's are mildly entertaining on a hot day in summer when it's on the box, but I wouldn't bother watching one from O/S. T20 means nothing to me.

[bennymacca]

Not having all Australian international matches on free to air is a blow, as it was when the Big Bash was only on Foxtel.

If it's all pay tv then there is a danger that you 'middle class' the game. Needs to be accessible to the masses to broaden the appeal and keep it as part of the Australian consciousness.

When was the last time a non ashes overseas test was in FTA tv? Not in my memory.

All local international games and the ashes are still FTA

I recall watching Australia play the Windies over there on FTA when Steve Waugh made a double ton and fat cat Greg Ritchie (who was in the crowd) jumped the fence ran out on the ground and shook his hand. Reckon it was channel 10. Late 90's?

95?

That's 22 years ago. Bloody hell that makes me feel old.

[bennymacca]

I haven't lost interest in the game but I have lost interest in many of the meaningless tours our national side goes on.

I'm interested in the test series against England, South Africa, India and New Zealand and not much else. ODI's are mildly entertaining on a hot day in summer when it's on the box, but I wouldn't bother watching one from O/S. T20 means nothing to me.

A test championship is desperately needed to provide context to these tours imo.

[Booney]

I haven't lost interest in the game but I have lost interest in many of the meaningless tours our national side goes on.

I'm interested in the test series against England, South Africa, India and New Zealand and not much else. ODI's are mildly entertaining on a hot day in summer when it's on the box, but I wouldn't bother watching one from O/S. T20 means nothing to me.

A test championship is desperately needed to provide context to these tours imo.

Like wishing for an AFL reserves comp, it will never happen ( the AFL reserves comp is far more likely! ) as there are too many parties with a vested interest of looking after themselves.

[am Bays]

Apart from ashes tours, are you interested?

I miss Drebin/BPBRB/Nordberg to put this post in context

[Dogwatcher]

I haven't lost interest in the game but I have lost interest in many of the meaningless tours our national side goes on.

I'm interested in the test series against England, South Africa, India and New Zealand and not much else. ODI's are mildly entertaining on a hot day in summer when it's on the box, but I wouldn't bother watching one from O/S. T20 means nothing to me.

Pretty much my scenario.
I'll watch any Aussie Test matches, if time/time zones work for me.
I have little interest in ODI's and none in T20.
If it's on tv and there's no footy/soccer that I'm interested in, I'll watch women's matches.

I have a reasonably large cricket book collection and I'm starting to consider what to do with it.

However, I love being involved at club level and will continue to be well into the future.

[gossipgirl]

need more streakers

[Corona Man]

Not having all Australian international matches on free to air is a blow, as it was when the Big Bash was only on Foxtel.

If it's all pay tv then there is a danger that you 'middle class' the game. Needs to be accessible to the masses to broaden the appeal and keep it as part of the Australian consciousness.

When was the last time a non ashes overseas test was in FTA tv? Not in my memory.

All local international games and the ashes are still FTA

I recall watching Australia play the Windies over there on FTA when Steve Waugh made a double ton and fat cat Greg Ritchie (who was in the crowd) jumped the fence ran out on the ground and shook his hand. Reckon it was channel 10. Late 90's?

95?

That's 22 years ago. Bloody hell that makes me feel old.

Nearly as long since the last crows flag!

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Apart from ashes tours, are you interested?

I miss Drebin/BPBRB/Nordberg to put this post in context

His horse has had a couple of good wins this prep.

[bennymacca]

I haven't lost interest in the game but I have lost interest in many of the meaningless tours our national side goes on.

I'm interested in the test series against England, South Africa, India and New Zealand and not much else. ODI's are mildly entertaining on a hot day in summer when it's on the box, but I wouldn't bother watching one from O/S. T20 means nothing to me.

A test championship is desperately needed to provide context to these tours imo.

Like wishing for an AFL reserves comp, it will never happen ( the AFL reserves comp is far more likely! ) as there are too many parties with a vested interest of looking after themselves.

I think it's closer than that. (I hope)

And Ireland and Afghanistan have been awarded test status too, so it seems the wheels are in motion

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/ ... ampionship

[gadj1976]

Yes.

[Alaska]

I concur with Dogwatcher and Booney, they are diluting a product and alienating some of the public.

[Tony Clifton]

Think that sounds about right. From perhaps late 90's onwards the Australian tours stopped being televised on FTA, no domestic one dayers on FTA. Became more and more that you needed Foxtel to follow the sport properly which only some people can afford. BBL only really exploded after Channel 10 got the rights.

The big area that cricket suffers is the spike in interest is December/January, however club season starts in October. No clubs are taking new players or registering teams when the season is halfway done. Whereas football has the NAB Cup and early rounds in February/March which drives interest, then most club or school football seasons start in April.

Apparently in years there is an Ashes tour to England during winter there is a large spike in junior cricket participation. Cricket is on tv in July/August during prime time and that flows through into club/school registrations in September/October. This 'perfect storm' only occurs once every four years. Usually cricket has to start 'cold' without any promotional lead in.