The reality is that rain does affect matches in England, and this season 3 Tests have gone into a 5th day. I've no idea what proportion of matches go into a 5th day but as a wild guess I'd imagine it's about 2 or 3 per season.Fair enough for the last day but, seriously, if rain doesnt effect the match, how often do they get to 5 days.
Yes it is very expensive and Im not sure I would pay 75 GBP. However, that is my choice and as much as I think it is expensive I think it almost reasonable.Prices over here are certainly extortionate, particularly relative to back in Australia, but as long as the crowds continue to pack the ground then I guess the argument that they are “over-priced” won’t wash with administrators. The ECB will point to the sell out crowds they’re getting (and will surely get even more of next year) and claim that clearly there is a market willing to pay the asking price.
I can certainly believe that Lord’s might charge £100 per day next year – I went to the Sunday of both the NZ and SA Tests this summer and they cost me £60 and £75 respectively. Both days had huge crowds, and the ECB will know that they can charge what they like next summer for the Ashes and they’ll still be turning people away in their thousands.
I’m in a different position to many on here who are students or have families. As a single professional with a good income I’m luckier than most insofar as I want to go to Test matches and can afford to pay for the pleasure. I do sympathise, however, with those who can’t - £75 per person (even including discounts for children and families) before you’ve even touched a beer is a hell of an expensive day out.
Hmm. It does make cricket a bit exclusive to the rich though. I'm sure there are people who really, really want to go but can't afford it, and equally there are very rich people who aren't bothered but have money to burn.At least we can be confident that, given the prices people pay, really want to be there, rather than tickets been taken up by those less committed (apart from the corporates, but that is a whole different issue).
Reckon there needs to be a 10 question quiz for every applicant with at least 70% correct answer required to be allowed tickets.
If you make it a priority and you really want to go then I cant believe anyone could not afford 20p a day for a once off treat, once a year.Hmm. It does make cricket a bit exclusive to the rich though. I'm sure there are people who really, really want to go but can't afford it, and equally there are very rich people who aren't bothered but have money to burn.
To be honest Goughy I hope it never comes to that over here. I love the fact that venues are smaller in England and that they maintain the feel of a cricket ground as opposed to a cricket stadium. It makes a lovely change from the huge Australian arenas – don’t get me wrong, I love watching cricket at the ‘G or the Gabba as much as the next man, but there’s something special about watching a Test match and being virtually as close to the action as you would be if you were watching it on a village green.Id obviously far rather 50 000 seater stadiums
The Oval was 2/3 full today, a good atmosphere (or so it seemed on the highlights - I had to be at work) and a game against a major Test match nation which could have gone either way.Perhaps. But then, the only real point of going to a ground to watch a game is to get the atmosphere, something which is lacking on a fifth day of a test match unless something huge is about to happen (i.e. 2005)
That argument doesn't really hold water. Check the prices set for, say, Man Utd vs. Real Madrid at Old Trafford. They're set a good 25-30 pounds below what people would pay for them. And this is from a footballing business with pretty much bugger all consideration for fans. They aren't legally obliged to set the highest possible price they can without people choosing not to go.Well how much do you want ticket prices to be? As with anything, supply v demand, if people didn't want it the price would drop, but clearly they do so it pushes it up. I don't see how you can have it both ways.
This is basically what i was getting at, that in order to grow a sport you need to make it accessible to everyone, not just those who happen to be able to afford it (and often times have little interest in the game and more in being seen!)Hmm. It does make cricket a bit exclusive to the rich though. I'm sure there are people who really, really want to go but can't afford it, and equally there are very rich people who aren't bothered but have money to burn.
I'm sure CL prices are restricted though, by UEFAThat argument doesn't really hold water. Check the prices set for, say, Man Utd vs. Real Madrid at Old Trafford. They're set a good 25-30 pounds below what people would pay for them. And this is from a footballing business with pretty much bugger all consideration for fans. They aren't legally obliged to set the highest possible price they can without people choosing not to go.