.png)
The summer of test cricket commences this Thursday, with Australia taking on Pakistan, in a match dubbed ‘The West Test’ - a rebrand attempting to increase Perth crowd numbers. The rebrand includes the addition of a WACA Ground-inspired grass bank.
Optus Stadium Chief Executive Mike McKenna believes Optus Stadium is the right venue for Test Cricket in WA ahead of this week’s test match.
McKenna told Sports Breakfast while there’s still love for Test Cricket at the WACA, it should remain at Optus Stadium in the future, despite smaller crowds.
“Test cricket in the future should be at Optus Stadium and we should aspire to the big crowds that we get elsewhere in the country,” he said.
“It’s up to the venue, Cricket Australia and the WACA to ensure the people are given a good reason to come watch the test cricket at Optus Stadium.
“It’s a great place to watch all sports as we’ve demonstrated and cricket is exactly the same.”
McKenna expects the test will draw around 20,000 people for the first three days, but for him, that’s not a figure to settle on.
“Test cricket generally in Australia should be drawing bigger crowds than that, and I think there’s a lot of work that we, Cricket Australia, and the WACA have to do to get people to fall back in love with attending test match cricket,” said McKenna.
“People have shown over the years they love going to the Scorchers. We get huge crowds right through the season and there’s no reason that the first few days of test matches shouldn’t be the same.
“While we might get 20,000 for the first three days, I’m not happy with that, with the affection and people’s love for the game in WA, we should be getting more.”
In February, 53,000 people attended the Big Bash League Final between the Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat, where Perth went on to secure their fifth title.
McKenna believes those moments are why people need to attend cricket matches.
“That experience for anybody who was there for that final will never forget it, and that’s exactly the reason you need to be at cricket matches,” he said.
“You can watch it on TV it's exciting, but there’s nothing like being part of that crowd.”
Last month, Optus Stadium hosted international artists Coldplay over two nights, drawing the masses to the Stadium.
McKenna has commended the team at the stadium for their efforts in preparing the ground for the upcoming test and is looking forward to seeing how the ‘firm’ and ‘flat’ wicket plays.
“It’s going to be a really fast outfield,’ said McKenna.
“The curator’s done a great job making sure it plays like the traditional WACA wicket does, so it should be very fast, very bouncy.
“I think we’re gonna see some of the Australian fast bowlers have a great time, but equally, Pakistan have got some good pace out there too, so I’m sure they’ll be looking forward to exploiting the conditions.”
The first ball will be bowled at 10.20 am AWST, something McKenna looks forward to.
“There’s nothing like the first ball of a test match and the anticipation that builds for that, who knows what could happen from the very beginning?” He said.
“We’ve seen the Australian team take wickets from the first ball of test matches before and those are the sort of memories that you want to add to your collection of great cricket stories you can tell.”
IMAGE: Fox Sports