Cricket Committment Poll

[Paoli]

Well, I can't sit through a match of state cricket at the MCG with 20 other people sitting in the stadium. Plus, I've better things to do (or school) than to watch a Pura Cup Match.

Test Matches? Well, I went to Australia vs. India, one day of it at least, 18 months back. (By the way, sorry about voting for test matches then, but close enough), and I've been to quite a few one dayers. Australia vs. New Zealand, ICC XI vs Asia XI, and Australia vs. West Indies.....And, about 15 months ago Zimbabwe vs. India at Adelaide.

[Occasional Fan]

In the last twelve months it's actually nowt, now that I come to think of it - but I was at the Barbados test match thirteen months ago, and barring disasters I will be at all The Ashes matches in 2006/7. I don't have much interest in the ODI format, but I might go if there were some games near where I was for another reason - for example, in 2000 I was in South Africa for a safari break and got into the SA v Eng and Zim v Eng ODIs at Newlands as an incidental side trip.

Geography is the main limiter for me. To see any cricket I have to hop on a plane first, and, as has been mentioned already in this thread, the ticket prices in England are extortionate so I don't even think of travelling back there especially for a match.** I'm more likely to invest in a holiday built around a test tour of somewhere where the sun can be guaranteed and the prices are reasonable - hence the plan for the 2006/7 Ashes Tour.

** Great news: just received an invitation a couple of days ago from an old mate in Blighty to the Trent Bridge Saturday this summer. So, I could actually be there when we win the series! I think there's a certain amount of corporate hostility involved in this, but a small plate of sandwiches will do for me and I will therefore try to skip the boring bits of the four course lunch so that I can get back to the main event asap.

[Rachael]

How much cheaper are the tickets you've got to Tests elsewhere OF?

I recall there wasa stink last year about prices in the WI for those people trying to book from the UK...in that it was much higher than for locals. I've no idea what sort of sums we're talking about though.

I'd certainly rather spend my money getting somewhere interesting and then buying a cheaper seat though: it's almost as much hassle for us to get to the Oval or Old Trafford as it would be to organise a holiday abroad.. and train fares seem extortionate these days.. so why not :-)

[Occasional Fan]

Barbados first time I went were B$20 per day - that's US$10. Last year there was a stink because a huge surcharge was put on the England fans, bringing the price up to closer to £50 per day - same as the UK. Local tickets were still available for B$20-30, I believe, and there were plenty of touts around "arbitraging", as I believe we called it when I was studying economics.

South Africa ODIs I really can't remember, but the Rand was so weak that everything there was very cheap for Brits. The Rand has recovered quite a bit, but I'd still bet that you are looking at half the UK prices or less. I think Flanflinger went to one of the SA tests over the winter, so perhaps he can help?

I've tried to find the e-mail confirmations for my last Ashes Tour. The only one I can pin down was the Adelaide Test, for which I paid A$30 a day for covered seating and rather less for the one day when I could not get shade. My advice - pay for the shade if you have the chance! During the last series, A$30 was not much more than £12 - so you are literally getting a five day pass for the price of a day ticket in England. I went to the Gabba and the WACA as well, and prices were similar. At those prices, I don't mind buying five day passes and throwing a day away (two at the WACA): there are no refunds in Australia for lost days! I believe at the WACA the deal was "buy three days and get the fourth and fifth free of charge" anyway: they must have known something in advance!

Will I see you in Australia in 2006/7?

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

Will I see you in Australia in 2006/7?

Having read all that I certainly think Australia is now the front-runner: I hate being ripped off and it sounds as if, as ever, this country is just not the place for buying ANYTHING.

[Occasional Fan]

Beny - please could you mention my name to the Australian Tourist Board?

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Ernest

but I live less than a mile to a splended club in the Northers league.

That about it...but I may add a new poll for those who actually compete.. watch out for that...

[flanflinger]

Racahel - I paid £48 for one day at the Oval for the Ashes, I only paid £23 for an ODI v Bangladesh...

All the county grounds are putting up their prices for the Australians...and who wouldn't - despite the price hike, the Oval sold out before the Tickets had been offered to non-members (members get first option on tickets)...

[Statto]

I have a membership at Lancashire so I get to see a fair amount of cricket there (possibly including the game with Northants in about 10 hours) and that makes it easier to get international tickets as well.

[Hampshire Rose]

I'm afraid you'd be hard pushed to keep me away. So far I've got the first four days of Edgbaston and Old Trafford, I went to Lord's on Thursday and Saturday and hopefully I'll get to Durham this Saturday. Waiting to hear from the ECSC about the latest ballot for the others.

I keep spending windy days at the Rose Bowl (I do wish they'd raised enough money to build some shelter) listening to Warney chatting away and I spent January in Johannesburg then Pretoria. I'm pondering this winter's destination but I think I might go and see what the Aussies do in SA.