After all the doom and gloom about the 'second string' squad selected for the start of the ODI series, a pretty healthy crowd of 27,461 turned up to watch Australia's massive win. This would have to be considered a massive plus considering the week of negative publicity which preceded the game. The game was never going to top the recent 46,581 who attended the Big Bash derby game, but it is still ahead of all the other Melbourne Stars home matches for the season. Although by the first ball only 15,000 people were in the ground, many more people flowed in throughout the afternoon and then in the early evening after work. This attendance sits very comfortably with recent figures for ODI matches against Sri Lanka at the MCG.
2nd March 2012: 28,901
3rd November 2010: 19,309
29th February 2008: 22,524
22nd February 2008: 27,860
Even in relation to recent ODI's at the MCG against other opposition it stacks up quite well.
5th February 2012: 29,959 (India)
16th January 2011: 34,845 (England)
19th February 2010: 15,538 (West Indies)
7th February 2010: 25,463 (West Indies)
6th February 2009: 28,251 (New Zealand)
Although it has to be said without the many thousands of Sri Lankan supporters, the attendance would have been significantly lower. Kudos to the Sri Lankans for turning out in force, as well as providing a great atmosphere!
Ultimately the attendance should be recognised as quite good and with the next match at the Adelaide Oval being a sellout (17,000 max. due to construction works), let's hope for more well attended matches for the rest of the summer.
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