Photo via CricTracker

David Warner slams 'pathetic' crowds for South Africa vs Australia Test matches

Australian batsman David Warner has criticized the lackluster attendance at the ongoing Test series between South Africa and Australia, calling the crowds 'pathetic' in a post on social media. The first Test at Kingsmead, which has a capacity of 25,000, saw fewer than 20,000 spectators over five days, while the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha—with a capacity of 19,000—has also struggled with sparse crowds amid rain delays.

Warner’s remarks highlight concerns about the declining interest in Test cricket, particularly in South Africa, where the format is often hailed as the pinnacle of the sport. The series marks South Africa’s first home Tests since January 2025 and their first since winning the World Test Championship, yet the empty stands have raised questions about fan engagement during unconventional scheduling, including October fixtures clashing with domestic leagues like the SA20 and IPL.

Former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain have also weighed in, noting logistical challenges such as match timings and weather, while the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union has launched an internal review into the poor attendance at the first Test.

Up nextCricket· 1d ago

Justin Langer links Steve Smith, David Warner's ball-tampering ban to decline of reverse swing in cricket