Cricket fans blast 'appalling' move as Marcus Harris shines in latest Test audition

Cricket fans have blasted the decision to lock spectators out of a two-day tour game between Victoria and Pakistan ahead of the Boxing Day Test. The game was hastily scheduled at the last minute after Pakistan's 360-run loss in the first Test against Australia, in the hope the tourists could get some much-needed match practice.

But cricket fans in Melbourne hoping to attend the game in person at Junction Oval were left sorely disappointed. On Friday it was announced that the match would be played behind closed doors, meaning spectators would be locked out and unable to gain access.

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A number of diehards still rocked up and watched the action from behind the border fence, but the main gates were locked to the general public. Cricket Australia said in a statement that the decision to lock out the public was made “due to the late request for the fixture which provided logistical challenges in allowing patrons and media to attend”. But it still went down like a lead ballon on social media, with fans slamming the bizarre decision.

"The decision to close the exhibition game to the public is an absolute disgrace," one person wrote. "Longer forms of the game are struggling to capture interest and this decision is made. Absolutely appalling."

Another person commented: "Seriously? I’d tee’d up the day to bring the young fella…. Way to grow the game." A third added: "The traditional touring side v each state was always a highlight as a kid. There would want to be a bloody good reason why this is closed doors. Every opportunity to grow the game should be taken at every possible chance."

Another comment read: "There had better be a bloody good reason to prevent the public from going to the game. A chance to see international cricketers and young Vics up close at a suburban ground and you lock the gates? Bizzare. Please explain as Pauline would put it."

Will Pucovski misses out as Marcus Harris stakes Test claim

The match presented a golden opportunity for Will Pucovski and Marcus Harris to stake their claims for David Warner's soon-to-be-available Test spot. Warner will call it quits from red-ball cricket after the third Test against Pakistan at the SCG, opening up a spot at the top of the Aussie order.

The leading contenders were thought to be Harris, Matt Renshaw and Cameron Bancroft, although Pucovski's name has been thrown into the equation in recent days. There have also been calls for Cameron Green to come back into the Aussie side as an opener after losing his spot in the middle order to Mitch Marsh.

Regardless of who the selectors go with, Harris certainly made the most of his audition on Sunday. The Victorian, who has played 14 Tests, blasted 126 from just 131 balls against Pakistan's bowling attack.

Pucovski didn't far as well, dismissed for just four on Friday. The 25-year-old was bowled by Shaheen Afridi in the first over in his first match against an international opponent since his Test debut in January 2021 against India.

As for Pakistan, dumped wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan sent a message to selectors with a free-flowing 50 from 70 balls before retiring. Saud Shakeel top-scored with 70 retired as Pakistan made 323 after deciding to bat first.

Rizwan was a surprise omission for the first Test, with Pakistan opting for veteran keeper Sarfaraz Ahmed instead. Ahmed struggled badly with the bat and wasn't particularly sharp with the gloves either.

Pakistan will be forced into at least one change for the second Test at the MCG, with fast bowler Khurram Shahzad ruled out for the remainder of the series with a stress fracture in his rib and an abdominal tear. Shahzad impressed in his Test debut in Perth, finishing with match figures of 5-128. However he pulled up sore and was sent for scans, with results revealing the injuries.

with AAP

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