Homebush Cricket debut a success

Austadiums • Monday 17th February 2003

Australia's national sport landed at Sydney's largest stadium yesterday and, apart from an afternoon deluge, all went swimmingly as a trial for one-day internationals at the arena.

Even the heavy rain barely dampened the spirits of the 25,763 spectators - the second largest crowd in Australian domestic one-day history - who revelled in a brand new ground and a bold new day for the game.

In regard to Sydney's escalating "stadium wars" - pitching Cricket NSW's desire to play more big-time cricket at Homebush Bay against the SCG Trust's firm opposition - this appeared a victory for the revolutionaries, even considering the novelty factor and that more than half those attending had free tickets.

The success of the venture, which required a $350,000 investment from Telstra Stadium, boosted Cricket NSW's hopes of staging one-day internationals at the ground, brought a vote of confidence from Australian Cricket Board chairman, Bob Merriman, and even had stadium officials considering the possibility of hosting Test cricket.

"The success of the venue has confirmed for me that we'll definitely get some one-day internationals here in the future," said stadium chief executive Ken Edwards, who also dreams of "some bigger Test matches being played here".

Telstra Tests is too fanciful a notion even for Cricket NSW, but yesterday's game did bolster confidence that Sydney's one-day internationals will be split between the SCG and Homebush Bay once its new lease with the Trust starts at the end of 2005.

Edwards said with about 9000 ticket sales, corporate deals and hand-outs, a total of 41,000 tickets had been issued.

"At the end of the day we've had 25,000 people decide to come," said Cricket NSW chief executive Dave Gilbert. He was hoping for 20,000.

"It's been an outstanding success. There has been some novelty value, but it just proves that above all else cricket is a viable option for this stadium."

Gilbert added the stadium would make a fine venue if Australia hosted the World Cup in 2011.

Pointedly, those who turned down invitations included 11 of the 14 trustees on the SCG Trust (which refused to allow the NSW-England one-dayer last December to be played at the stadium) including chairman Rodney Cavalier and chief executive Jamie Barkely.

Merriman, whose board would have to approve one-day internationals being played at Telstra Stadium, trod a diplomatic path yesterday: "If this is a venue Cricket NSW wants to use, matches like this one are a positive experiment."

The arena was also praised by yesterday's captains, though NSW's Steve Waugh noted the sandy outfield presented some problems, particularly post-rain. And South Australia's Greg Blewett complained of soft edges around the wicket square.

As a potential ODI venue, however, Waugh said: "It's fine. No problems."

Blewett said the experience was "brilliant" and that Telstra Stadium should "definitely" host more cricket. "It was a fantastic atmosphere," he said. "The dimensions are perfect for one-day cricket."

Edwards said the stadium would make an operating profit yesterday through ticket sales, merchandise and catering - an area which won at least one high profile fan.

"It took me three-and-a-half minutes to get some food and a beer during the lunch break," said former Test player Greg Matthews. "That took me 20 minutes at the SCG during a Pura Cup game."

Two weeks ago, the ING Cup broke new ground by going to Drummoyne Oval, with a match played in a nostalgic atmosphere which was all tea, scones and quaint pavilions.

Yesterday's trip further up the Parramatta River felt more like a probe into the future, with a multi-million dollar sound system blasting dance beats which echoed loudly off the concrete and white metal.

So did the applause, a crisp, chip-packet sound contrasting the warmer ambience of most cricket grounds. The stadium - a unique cricket venue because of its symmetry - carried a loud background hum all day. It was tantalising to imagine an international taking place before a full house.

"I'd love to see more games out here," said Peter MacBride, of Blacktown. "For years I've travelled in to the SCG, but here is much easier to get to."

It was not only western suburbanites who approved. "It's a great idea to put cricket out here," said Peter Ball of Balmain. "The access is good, it's central, there's plenty of parking - all the same reasons it worked so well for the Olympics."

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Australia's national sport landed at Sydney's largest stadium yesterday and, apart from an afternoon deluge, all went swimmingly as a trial for one-day internationals at the arena.
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