Twenty20
Just a quick post to share a picture taken at last night’s Twenty20 International in Cardiff between England and Pakistan. We had the entire spectrum of Welsh weather to contend with, but the worst of yesterday’s rain was over well before the match started and the SWALEC stadium, just ten minutes’ walk from my house, was a fine sight under a variety of peculiar cloud formations and the floodlights, as you can tell from the picture I took on my phone.
Pakistan won the toss and batted first, but didn’t make a very good fist of it and were bowled out for a mere 89 from their 20 overs. England had a little wobble during the run chase but in the end won comfortably by 6 wickets.
Unfortunately, the crowd numbered only a few thousand so the atmosphere was a bit flat and Pakistan’s poor showing with the bat made it all a bit of anti-climax, but it was still a good way to precede a nice curry. I’ve heard various theories as to why the attendance was so poor, but I think it’s pretty obvious: at £45 for a game whose format ensures it can last no longer than about three hours, tickets for this match were just too expensive. I think the authorities should think again about their pricing strategy.
September 8, 2010 at 8:21 am
Shame that Pakistan seem to have lost the heart for the fight as well, making them ironically an even safer ‘bet’ to lose the games.
September 8, 2010 at 8:42 am
Dear Peter,
45 pounds is shocking. We often go to see Sussex Twenty20s in Hove which are 18 pounds and the ground is usually completely packed to its 7000 capacity. SWALEC is twice the size but I bet the same pricing would have done better, even if there are reasons people might shy away from watching Pakistan right now.
Andrew
September 8, 2010 at 8:58 am
I think if they had halved the price they would have more than doubled the attendance. Or they could have played the two matches back-to-back on the same day.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens with the FIVE 50-over matches coming up next. I think that’s way too many. I think the Pakistan players just want to go home now, and I can’t say I really blame them for that, so I think the games will be pretty uninvolving.
September 8, 2010 at 3:22 pm
I think that at least three of the Pakistan players are in no hurry to go home.
September 8, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Would that be the three who didn’t play last night?
September 8, 2010 at 3:49 pm
You might think that; I couldn’t possibly comment…