Just weeks after forecasting a record year ahead, Cricket Australia is facing a multimillion dollar drain from the rapid-fire two-day Ashes opener.
A combination of Travis Head’s stunning Ashes century and England’s aggressive Bazball approach to batting led to the first game of the blockbuster series in Perth ending late on day two.
Cricket Australia are headed for an estimated loss of more than $3m from ticket revenue for days three and four.
A record 101,514 attended the Test – 51,531 on Friday, then 49,983 – to surpass the record set of 96,463 in Perth last year when India won in four days.
Day three was also almost sold out.
Head said the Perth Test was an “amazing two days” but he felt for the fans who had tickets for day three.
“Feel sorry for the people who can’t come tomorrow. I think it was a full house again,” he told the Seven Network after the match.
People with single day Test tickets for days that will not go ahead are entitled to full refunds, according to Cricket Australia’s refund policy.
Speaking before play on Saturday, when Australia’s first innings hadn’t even finished, Cricket Australia’s chief executive Todd Greenberg half-joked that he was worried about the Test not making it to day three.
“It’s difficult for a number of different groups,” Greenberg told SEN when discussing the financial impact of a match finishing early.
“Our broadcasters first of all.
“Certainly us, on ticket sales and our partners and sponsors.
“There’s a big economic impact on this series.”
At the annual general meeting last month, Cricket Australia announced a loss of $11.3m and took strong criticism from Cricket Victoria chair Ross Hepburn for the financial performance.
The loss took in a summer that included a five-Test tour from goliath India.
“In a normal scheduling, you’d have the white-ball cricket as part of that (Test) tour, but that’s being played in this financial year,” Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said after the meeting in October.
“If they were in the same financial year, you would have seen a different position.
“We’re in a position where it’s a significant uplift, an over $20m improvement.
“Hang on to your hats because next year we are going to have a record year in cricket.
“You’re going to see the most attendance, the most viewership, the most sponsorship.”
Foxtel said their broadcast on Friday was the most watched first day of a first Test in their history.
The Seven Network also reported strong ratings for their coverage on day one.
With Australian Associated Press
