Interest in home cricket plumbed to new depths final weekend as an empty Wanderers stadium witnessed an unimaginable end to the CSA 4-Day Series, with the Lions triumphing over Western Province in a superb match.
It was an outstanding encounter that noticed the guests in cost for big parts of the sport, just for the hosts to struggle again and in the tip clinch an exhilarating win, in what was an important commercial of local cricket, nonetheless there have been no followers to see it.
After the packed stadiums and unimaginable assist seen in the course of the second version of the SA20 sequence earlier this 12 months, it was extraordinarily unhappy to see how little curiosity there was in watching gamers who may very well be subsequent in line to grow to be Proteas Test stars.
In truth, when the Western Province batters walked in to take guard on the morning of the ultimate day, there have been extra birds on the sector than followers in the stands.
Minimal advertising and marketing
The blame, nonetheless, shouldn’t be laid on the toes of the followers, however on directors in the sport and Cricket South Africa, as they’ve proven little or no curiosity in advertising and marketing and retaining any curiosity in local cricket alive.
The CSA One Day Cup ultimate, which was performed between Western Province and North West Dragons at Newlands in October final 12 months was sparsely supported, as barely any followers turned out to look at the house aspect elevate the trophy.
On Friday night the CSA T20 Challenge gets under way throughout the nation, and it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how many individuals trouble turning as much as watch.
Many won’t even know that it’s on as aside from just a few press releases and social media posts from CSA, and a few despatched from the varied unions, there was little different advertising and marketing or promoting performed to drum up curiosity.
The query needs to be whether or not CSA has utterly given up on followers supporting local cricket, aside from the flagship SA20 which appears to be largely run by IPL franchises anyway.
You additionally should surprise what kind of affect it will have on potential children who should determine whether or not it’s price pursuing a profession in cricket in the longer term.
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