Low response to New Zealand-Pak matches, fans feel not getting value for money
By ANITuesday, January 11, 2011
WELLINGTON - New Zealand Cricket is facing a tough task of attracting crowds to Pakistan tour matches, as fans feel they are not getting value for money from the struggling Blacks Caps.
NZ Cricket’s figures show just 5955 people attended the first test, barely half of those who attended the Test against Australia in 2010.
New Zealand was crushed by 10 wickets inside three days at Hamilton’s Seddon Park at the weekend, Stuff.co.nz reports.
Pre-sale adult day passes were 28 dollars, plus a three-dollar booking fee, while walk-up patrons paid 33 dollars, including the fee. Children under 16 paid 10 dollars for a match pass, and prices were reduced later in the day.
Hamilton cricket fan Andrew Wallace felt 33 dollars was too expensive, regardless of how competitive the New Zealand team was.
He said gate staff struggled to find change for patrons paying cash to get into the ground, and a nice round figure would’ve been easier.
Seddon Park regular Richard Swainson agreed, and felt the cost was a factor in one of the lowest crowds for a test in Hamilton in recent years. (ANI)
