smh.com.au
Women's Ashes Test at MCG: Crowd Numbers Fall Short of 2020 World Cup
The 2025 Women's Ashes Test at the MCG, the first women's Test at the ground in 90 years, drew significantly fewer spectators (11,643 on day one) than the 2020 T20 World Cup final (86,174), highlighting the challenges in maintaining momentum for women's cricket post-COVID and contrasting with the sustained popularity of the Matildas.
- What factors contributed to the significant difference in attendance between the 2020 T20 World Cup final and the 2025 Women's Ashes Test at the MCG?
- In 2020, a T20 World Cup final at the MCG drew 86,174 attendees. Five years later, a women's Ashes Test match at the same venue attracted 11,643 on its first day, aiming to surpass the 23,207 aggregate record set at Trent Bridge in 2023. This significant crowd decrease is attributed to the impact of COVID-19, hindering efforts to build on the 2020 success.
- How did Cricket Australia's strategies for promoting the 2025 Ashes Test compare to those used for the 2020 T20 World Cup, and what were the outcomes?
- The contrast between the 2020 T20 World Cup crowd and the 2025 Ashes Test attendance highlights the challenges in sustaining momentum for women's cricket. While Cricket Australia invested in the women's game and scheduled matches at major venues, factors such as the timing of the Test (a weekday during school term) and the Ashes series's already-decided outcome affected attendance. The success of the Matildas, in contrast, demonstrates the potential for sustained fan engagement following a major tournament.
- What long-term strategies should Cricket Australia adopt to ensure sustained growth in attendance at women's cricket matches, given the current challenges and the Matildas' success as a comparative example?
- Despite the lower-than-expected attendance, the MCG Test represents a step towards normalizing women's Test matches at major venues. Future success depends on addressing factors like scheduling and leveraging the achievements of the team to build consistent fan interest, potentially using strategies employed for the Matildas. Long-term strategies must focus on building consistent, year-round engagement.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative frames the lower attendance as a problem that needs fixing, emphasizing the shortfall compared to the 2020 World Cup. While acknowledging Cricket Australia's efforts, the overall tone suggests a failure to maintain momentum rather than a complex issue with various contributing factors. The use of phrases like "what happened to the other 70-odd thousand" highlights this framing.
Language Bias
The article uses words like "struggled" and "crushed" which, while factually accurate in the context of the sporting results, may carry negative connotations that undermine the positive progress of women's cricket. Neutral alternatives would be to focus on the quantitative results and avoid overly emotional terms.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the decrease in attendance at women's cricket matches since the 2020 World Cup, but it omits discussion of potential factors beyond Cricket Australia's control, such as broader economic conditions or competing entertainment options. It also doesn't explore the demographics of the 2020 crowd versus the 2024 crowd, which might reveal insights into the shift in attendance. While acknowledging COVID's impact, a deeper dive into other contributing factors would enhance the analysis.
False Dichotomy
The article implicitly presents a false dichotomy between the success of the 2020 World Cup and the current lower attendance, suggesting a simple cause-and-effect relationship without fully exploring the complexities of the situation. It fails to acknowledge that multiple factors contribute to attendance at sporting events.
Gender Bias
The article focuses on women's sports and uses gender-neutral language for the most part. However, the repeated contrast between the women's cricket attendance and the Matildas' success could inadvertently reinforce gender stereotypes by implying a difference in inherent appeal between women's soccer and cricket.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the progress of women's cricket in Australia, showcasing increased opportunities for female athletes and the positive impact of major events like the 2020 T20 World Cup. While challenges remain in maintaining high attendance, the commitment of Cricket Australia to invest in and promote women's cricket demonstrates progress towards gender equality in sports. The MCG Test match, a significant milestone, further underscores this progress. The quotes from players and officials express the importance of providing a platform for women in sports and the ambition to grow the audience.