Australia v India T20 international at SCG sold out

AUSTRALIA’S ball-tampering scandal has only heightened interest in the national team this summer with next month’s Twenty20 international at the SCG already sold out.

Aaron Finch hits out for Australia in T20 action. Picture: AFP

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AUSTRALIA’S ball-tampering scandal has only heightened interest in the national team this summer with next month’s Twenty20 international at the SCG already declared a sell-out.

The Sunday night clash against India is still more than seven weeks away but already the house-full sign has gone up, with a limited number of restricted view seats all that’s left for the first Sydney fixture of the summer.

More than 30,000 tickets have also been sold to the T20 clash at the MCG two nights earlier, and the return ODI against India in Sydney on January 12 is already at half capacity.

The rare pre-summer interest – before Tim Paine’s new-look Test team even faces a ball in Dubai this weekend – reflects the fascination the Australian public holds for how the side will perform without banned superstars Steve Smith and David Warner.

Whether it’s out of hope or morbid curiosity, the loss of the two biggest names in recent Australian cricket history at this stage doesn’t seem to have stopped fans reaching into their back pocket – although India are traditionally big drawcards.

Aaron Finch hits out for Australia in T20 action. Picture: AFP

Cricket Australia’s executive general manager of events Anthony Everard believes an unexpected anticipation for how the reconstructed Australian team will perform is behind the surge.

“I think there is. There’s a renewed sense of anticipation and almost curiosity in a way as to what’s going to unfold over the summer,” Everard told The Daily Telegraph.

“I think that’s been added to with the new broadcasters (Fox Cricket and Seven).

“That’s the feeling we get and the pre sales reinforce that.

“This is the first match of the summer for the men’s team that’s a sell-out, but there are plenty of other games which (are showing) really strong numbers.

“There’s a lot of pointers to us to say interest is high and demand is going to be strong and I do agree part of that can be attributed to this anticipation and curiosity around the new look team.”

The selling out of a Twenty20 international two months in advance is also another sign that high-voltage cricket is taking over as the most popular format of the game.

Cricket Unfiltered podcast: We give our take on how Aussies will fare against Pakistan for new coach Justin Langer, focus on the JLT Cup big hitters and wrap-up the spicy women’s T20 series against the Kiwis.

To get ready for the cricket season search ‘Cricket Unfiltered’ on all Podcast apps, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or search on Spotify and Smart Speakers

Following in the wake of the Big Bash’s success, families have shown an inclination to spend three hours at the cricket rather than an entire day.

Australia batsman D'Arcy Short in action during the final of the tri-series played between Pakistan and Australia in a T20 tri-series at the Harare Sports Club, July 8, 2018. Picture: AFP

Australia will host the World Twenty20 for both men and women in the year 2020 and are so confident in ticket sales they’ve scheduled the tournaments as two separate events at different times in the year.

The first Test against Pakistan in Dubai gets underway on Sunday and will be broadcast live and exclusively on Fox Cricket with Allan Border, Brendon Julian and Mike Hussey on hand to commentate.

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Originally published as Australia v India T20 international at SCG sold out