Cricket Australia has revealed that fans have attended in unprecedented numbers for the start of the season.
Day one of the first Test between Australia and South Africa at The Gabba (pictured) in Brisbane on Saturday is also set to mark one million fans through the gates for men’s international games.
There are a limited number of public tickets still on sale for day one, while tickets are still available in all categories for the remaining days. The Brisbane Test is the first match of a three-Test series between Australia and South Africa.
The 86,617 fans that attended the Adelaide Oval last week (December 8-11) was the highest attendance for an Australia vs West Indies Test match at the venue in 40 years.
Over 991,000 fans have already attended men’s international matches across Australia for the 2022-23 season, which started with Australia’s three-game Dettol ODI series against Zimbabwe in August.
Cricket Australia also noted that the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which was held in Australia in October and November, brought in 751,775 fans. Australia residents made up 89% of those ticket-holders and over 150,000 tickets sold were children’s.
Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia chief executive, said: “The response from fans to what has been an action-packed start to the season has been exceptional.
“The success of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has provided an incredible platform for the season and we’re delighted to see men’s international crowds trending upwards as we move into peak summer for our national sport.”
Hockley added: “The critical three-Test series against South Africa starting this Saturday will be played between two of the best teams in the world, adding to a long history of hard-fought contests. We look forward to the support of a passionate home crowd at the Gabba and encourage everyone to come along to be a part of it.”