A total attendance of 164,835 spectators was recorded at the MCG in the Boxing Day Test

Melbourne (Uttam Hindu News): Cricket Australia (CA) on Saturday announced that the Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) attracted a total of 164,835 spectators over four days. Apart from the attendance numbers, CA also said it recorded strong viewership across four match days as Australia recorded a 79-run win over Pakistan in the three-match Test series being played for the Beno-Qadir Trophy. Took an unassailable lead of 2-0.

Seven Network’s free-to-air coverage of the Boxing Day Test reached 5.5 million Australians nationally and when taking into account Foxtel Group audiences including Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now, each day’s game was watched by an average of one million. More than 100,000 people saw it. Kayo Sports recorded its highest ever viewership for the first day of the Boxing Day Test, up 2% year-on-year. In total, over 1.25 lakh people attended the Test and KFC Big Bash League matches over four days.

CA CEO Nick Hockley said: “We are delighted to see such strong viewership and attendance numbers for the NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test and the KFC Big Bash League. It’s been a great four days of cricket, and we’re delighted to see so many fans joining us at the matches or coming to watch some great encounters, including Australia’s win over Pakistan, led by captain Pat Cummins. Just like the extraordinary player did in the match.”

CA also said that its new initiative in collaboration with Shane Warne Legacy to honor the legendary leg spinner was also a huge hit. Fans in the stadium were encouraged to take the Shane Warne Legacy Heart Test at 23 stations throughout the match. A total of 7847 tests were conducted over the course of four days, taking the national total to 29,013 at present. “We were also delighted to see so many fans taking the Shane Warne Legacy Heart Test during the Boxing Day Test. Heart health is a very important cause, and we are proud to raise awareness for it alongside the Shane Warne Legacy. “It was also very special to see so many fans saluting Shane every day at 3.50pm,” Hockley said.

For the series opener at Optus Stadium in Perth, total match attendance was 59,125, 40% more than the previous record. “There is a lot of talk about the evolution of cricket, and the reality is that the game, with its three great formats, has never been more popular, relevant and with more growth potential.”

“For players, there are more earning potential and opportunities than ever before, while for fans, the entertainment is excellent, whether in the stadium at the game or through the continued innovation of our broadcast partners and across a huge variety of digital channels From.” “The attendance and viewing figures for this Test series once again demonstrate the enduring passion for the toughest and most famous format of the game,” Hockley said. Australia and Pakistan will now travel to Sydney for the third and final Test of the series, which will be celebrated as the Pink Test from January 3.