Australia’s ODI crowds crisis touches all-time low in Brisbane

BRISBANE - Australia’s one-day crowd crisis worsened on Sunday when a record low turn-out trickled into the Gabba to see the hosts deliver a dead-rubber thumping of Sri Lanka.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, it was the worst Gabba crowd for a one-day international featuring Australia, almost 3000 less than the 11,734 who were packed into a ground under construction during the 1992 World Cup.

Traditionally Australia’s Gabba 50-over fixtures have drawn 35,000-plus since the redevelopment of the 40,000-capacity stadium in the 1990s.

Sunday’s attendance, again featuring a healthy Sri Lankan contingent, was a mere half of the previous post-development lowest, which was 19,758 when Ponting’s men defeated Pakistan earlier this year.

And that total came with 20,088 attending another Australian Gabba win over the West Indies just weeks later.

Following crowds of 19,309 at the MCG and 11,495 at the SCG in Sri Lanka’s series-clinching wins, the Brisbane turnout underlined the fans general apathy for what has been an almost meaningless three-match series. (ANI)