Lahore (Sports Desk): Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has expressed concern over declining spectator numbers at Test cricket matches and put forward an important proposal to bring more fans back to stadiums.
In a post on the social media platform X, Pietersen said cricket boards should use revenue generated from T20 franchise tournaments to offer free admission to Test matches at venues where attendance remains low.
According to the former England captain, ticket sales in Durban and Port Elizabeth have not generated enough revenue to justify the absence of spectators from stadiums. He believes offering free entry could help increase fans’ interest in Test cricket.
Pietersen’s comments came after former Australian opener David Warner criticised the low attendance at matches during the ongoing Test series between South Africa and Australia.
Warner also expressed concern over empty stadiums on social media, questioning the justification for calling Test cricket the highest form of the game if spectators were not turning up to watch matches.
During the first Test between South Africa and Australia, fewer than 20,000 spectators attended Kingsmead Stadium in Durban over the five days, representing less than one-fifth of the venue’s total capacity. A large number of seats also remained empty at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth during the second Test.
The situation has sparked debate about how to increase the popularity of Test cricket in South Africa and make the format more accessible to fans. Relevant cricket authorities have also announced an internal review to investigate the reasons behind the low attendance.