Warner criticises low Test cricket crowds in South Africa

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 14:08 · Archive

Former Australia batter David Warner has criticised the sparse attendances at the Test series between South Africa and Australia.

South Africa and Australia are playing a Test series between the first- and second-ranked teams in the world. Attendances have been poor, with fewer than 20,000 fans attending the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban across five days, amounting to less than a fifth of the stadium's capacity. South Africa lost that match by 214 runs, and crowds have not improved during the rain-affected opening days of the second Test in Gqeberha.

Former Australia opening batter David Warner criticised the turnout on social media. 'We keep hearing how important Test cricket is, but where are the fans in South Africa?' he wrote. 'Empty stands, no atmosphere, and we're supposed to believe the format is thriving? You can't keep calling Test cricket the pinnacle of the game if no one turns up to watch it. Harsh reality, but someone has to say it. Pathetic.'

The poor attendance prompted the Kwa-Zulu Natal Cricket Union to launch a thorough internal review into the circumstances. The union's chief executive, Heinrich Strydom, said that a Test match of this quality deserved greater support in the stands.

How it is being reported

• David Warner takes swipe at ‘pathetic’ turnout for South Africa v Australia Test matchThere was a paltry crowd of fewer than 20,000 fans across the five days of the first Test as the top two ranked sides in the world did battle in DurbanIndependent Sport · 20 Oct, 13:53
• Warner slams 'pathetic' Test crowds in South AfricaFormer batter David Warner has hit out at the "pathetic" attendances in the ongoing Test series between South Africa and Australia.Sky Sports · 20 Oct, 12:25

In this story: David Warner · South Africa · Australia · Kingsmead Stadium · Durban · Gqeberha · Kwa-Zulu Natal Cricket Union · Heinrich Strydom

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