The radical move the boss of Optus Stadium in Perth wants to see after first Ashes Test’s two-day finish between Australia and England
As the inaugural boss of the Big Bash League when it was revamped to a city-based competition for 2010-11, McKenna is well aware of cricket’s challenge in winning new fans.
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The Test appeared destined to head into a third day until England’s spectacular collapse after lunch, when they lost 9/99 and could not stop a Head-inspired Australia from mowing down their target of 205 in the final session.
England’s dual collapses contributed most to the early finish, but McKenna did not absolve the Australians from blame.
“Both teams played their part in the quick finish,” McKenna said. “I don’t want to let Australia off the hook. After last year, they’d have had more awareness what the wicket would be like.
“No one has criticised how the wicket has played. It didn’t keep low or bounce outrageously, [and there was] not much sideways movement, just good fast bowling on a fast bowling track until the Poms lost line and length in their fourth innings.”
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McKenna’s idea to stage a last-minute game to replace some of the lost action has echoes of the call made by cricket officials in 1971 to hold a one-day international after the first three days of the Test were washed out. It was the first ODI played.
“The question is – people pay for tickets – why wasn’t there an opportunity to fill the space with another form of cricket?
“They’re paid performers, [on] a big stage, a group of 22 performers, an audience of 50,000 all with money to spend. Why wouldn’t you take an opportunity?”
Such a game would have been almost impossible to arrange at late notice, not least because of contractual issues with players.
Mitchell Starc had fans in Perth on the edge of their seats with his stunning performance with the ball in the first Test.Credit: Getty Images
“What’s more important to cricket? Engaging fans or looking after player contacts?” McKenna said.
“It’s not delivering what the fans want. You have people who travelled for days and hours to get here, [and] pay a lot for accommodation. I think the average tourist spent seven days on accommodation in Perth. It’s great to see the tourism sites, but they’d rather be seeing the cricket.
“If it had to be a one-dayer because of no Test match, then so be it.”
Former Test wicketkeeper, and eventual captain, Tim Paine missed seven years of international cricket after breaking his finger in an exhibition game for the Australian Cricketers’ Association All-Stars in 2010 against an Aussie fans’ XI.
A CA spokesperson said of the first Ashes Test: “It was disappointing that fans who held day three and four tickets for the NRMA Insurance West Test and who had travelled to Perth for the game did not get to see any action.
“The overall interest in the Test was fantastic, including a record crowd for any Test match played at Perth Stadium in just two days and an average audience of 2.3 million viewers watching the final session on Saturday.
“The impact Travis Head’s and Mitch Starc’s heroics in Perth have on interest in the rest of the series and on kids playing and watching cricket will be immense.”
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