South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union has pledged a thorough internal review after fewer than 20,000 fans attended the first Test against Australia in Durban over five days, despite the hosts being the reigning world Test champions and Australia the top-ranked side.
Australia, touring South Africa for the first time since the 2018 sandpaper scandal, won the match by 214 runs. They can wrap up the three-match series when the second Test begins in Gqeberha on Sunday.
Union chief executive Heinrich Strydom said the turnout was disappointing.
“It is impossible to overlook our disappointment that just under 20,000 fans attended across the five days,” said Strydom.
“A Test match of this quality deserved greater support in the stands. This is something we will reflect on through a thorough internal review.
“We need to listen to our supporters, reconnect with our communities and continue to find ways to make Test cricket more accessible, engaging and appealing.
“Test cricket is part of our sporting heritage and its future depends on all of us.”
Attendances for Test cricket have fallen in many parts of the world, most notably in South Africa and the West Indies. Live sport still draws large crowds in South Africa, however. While the Test was under way, a football cup final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns was held across town in Durban and attracted more than 50,000 fans.
“While we recognise supporters face competing demands on their time and finances, we must also understand better what influences their decisions to attend and what more we can do to make live cricket an attractive and worthwhile experience,” added Strydom.
South Africa call up ‘Aussie agitator’ Breetzke
On the field, South Africa have responded to their heavy first-Test defeat by recalling Matthew Breetzke, whom Cricket Australia’s website described as an “Aussie agitator”. Breetzke replaces Tristan Stubbs, who is left out for the second Test after scores of 32 and one in Durban.
Kyle Verreynne remains in the squad but is expected to lose the gloves to Ryan Rickelton. Breetzke and the uncapped Marques Ackerman look set to come into the top order.
Breetzke earlier scored a century in the first one-day international against Australia. He drew the ire of the Australians when he pinched a single after a throw rebounded off his body. South Africa coach Shukri Conrad admitted that Breetzke’s temperament was a factor in his selection.
“The attitude and character that Matt brings and has, I think that will go a long way,” said Conrad.
Breetzke, 27, has played two previous Tests, scoring only 14 runs in three innings, and has not played a first-class match since February. He has made a strong start to his one-day international career, however, averaging almost 59 from 17 matches.
South Africa must avoid defeat in Gqeberha to prevent Australia clinching the series with a game to spare. The 214-run loss was the world champions’ first defeat in captain Temba Bavuma’s 13 matches in charge.
The hosts are likely to include Kagiso Rabada, who missed the first Test while recovering from a hamstring injury.
Australia weigh up batting changes
Australia will also have decisions to make over their batting line-up after being forced into changes for the first Test. Injuries to Cameron Green and Josh Inglis led to a first Test in 10 years for Nic Maddinson. The opener was selected despite not playing a first-class game in the previous 19 months while undergoing treatment for testicular cancer.
With Maddinson at the top of the order, Matthew Renshaw moved down to number five and produced a career-best performance. The Middlesbrough-born left-hander scored 190 and 82 and also claimed two wickets with his off-breaks.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said Green is “progressing well” from an abdominal injury, while Inglis has started batting again after suffering a broken finger. If either or both are passed fit, Maddinson may sit out, with Renshaw likely to return to opening.