Cricket Australia’s bizarre summer schedule set to sour MCG T20
Cricket Australia’s push into spring is set to fall flat with fans with the MCG expecting a Big Bash-sized crowd for Friday night’s Twenty20 against embattled Sri Lanka.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Cricket Australia’s push into spring is set to fall flat with fans with the MCG expecting a Big Bash-sized crowd for Friday night’s Twenty20 against embattled Sri Lanka.
The November 1 clash is the earliest in the season that the MCG has ever hosted international cricket and is also the last white-ball game at the venue for the next 12 months.
The MCC said it was predicting a crowd of 30,000-35,000.
While that would be a respectable crowd, it is around what Melbourne Stars have averaged in recent seasons and well short of BBL derbies held at the MCG.
Catch every ball of the Australia v Sri Lanka Gillette T20 International Series LIVE or On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14-day free trial >
The early weather forecast is for 34C on Friday with a high chance of showers at night and a possible thunderstorm.
The MCG will not host an ODI this summer with the popular ground was given just six days of international cricket.
After Friday night’s T20 there is only the Boxing Day Test against New Zealand until next October, although the MCG will host the women’s T20 World Cup final on March 8.
That means the Sri Lanka clash will be the only chance for local heroes Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch to strut their stuff at their home ground before next year’s Twenty20 World Cup.
In a disappointing start to the summer, just 16,268 filed into Adelaide Oval to watch David Warner murder Sri Lanka with an unbeaten century on Sunday afternoon.
If Australia wins at the Gabba then the MCG clash will be a dead-rubber.
The MCG has hosted just one match of international cricket in November since 14,177 attended an ODI against South Africa in 2014.
That was last year’s washed out T20 against India, which drew 63,439 despite the rain.
Monster crowds of 84,041 (2008) and 58,787 (2016) have also piled in to watch Australia host India at the MCG.
Friday night’s crowd is likely to be a drop off from the 42,511 that attended Australia-Sri Lanka in 2017.
Originally published as Cricket Australia’s bizarre summer schedule set to sour MCG T20
Analysis: Battle royale looms at the MCG
A potential Cameron Green sized hole has left Aussie selectors with a huge headache. And after having their first look at how to solve it, it’s now even more unclear, as a 19-year-old and a veteran both made monster hundreds.
Test hopeful and teen star set Shield alight
The national selection chief was in Sydney to watch a rising star carve out a maiden century as Victorian Test hopeful also opened the Sheffield Shield season in style.