Cricket fans fume over $17.50 tickets 'to watch one ball'
England cricket fans are up in arms over the ‘absolutely ridiculous’ decision to charge admission for Day 5 of the third Test against India.
India only need one more wicket for victory at Trent Bridge after the hosts ended the fourth day on 9-311, still 210 runs short of their target.
Umpires extended play at the end of the fourth day in a bid to make sure the Test wasn’t extended to a fifth, but Stuart Broad (20) and Adil Rashid (30 not out) held firm until stumps.
With India requiring a single wicket to wrap up the win, the fifth day’s play could conceivably last one delivery.
However officials have made the extraordinary decision to still charge fans for admission.
In Australia, grounds would normally only charge a gold coin donation if the Test was basically over heading into Day 5, but not at Trent Bridge where fans will still be asked to pay 10 pounds ($17.50).
About 2000 tickets have already been sold, and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club officials don’t want to be forced to refund those who’ve already purchased tickets at £10.
But the decision has sparked outrage among fans, with a number of England greats also criticising the call.
Terrible https://t.co/vNOEkrRVfo
— David 'Bumble' Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) August 21, 2018
Aussie grounds sometimes do what they call “gold coin” entry on day 5, ie one or two dollars on the gate. In for a quid or two, buy food/drink once in. It’s one way of inviting people in when you may see little action. Might encourage curious newbies too. A ‘people’s’ atmosphere
— AlisonMitchell (@AlisonMitchell) August 21, 2018
You're charging £10 for a Day 5 ticket which could last one ball.
Oh, and you've banned our trumpeter. @TrentBridge – you need to have a long hard look at yourself. 😡 https://t.co/VkYa6PS8kD
— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) August 21, 2018
Absolutely ridiculous, you could have got some good publicity out of this. Now you will have nobody there
— Jack (@jackbyrne91) August 21, 2018
Great. So a crowd of 0 then… https://t.co/8K4L9BzqMQ
— Jonathan Agnew (@Aggerscricket) August 21, 2018
“We always think long and hard about day five pricing when we go on sale each October. Sometimes you’ll see a full day, sometimes a few overs,” Nottinghamshire CCC said in their defence.
#ENGvIND We always think long & hard about day five pricing when we go on sale each October. Sometimes you’ll see a full day, sometimes a few overs. In 2013, the match was exceptionally well poised.
Thanks to every Member & fan for your ongoing support of Trent Bridge & England pic.twitter.com/G75NCG1aOe
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) August 21, 2018
Badly let yourselves, the city, your members and the club down. Well done for your long and hard short sighted thinking.
— Mark Hefter (@statts1971) August 21, 2018
Defeat on Day 5 will see England’s lead in the five-Test series cut to 2-1, setting up an exciting fourth Test encounter at Southampton starting next Thursday.
with AAP