Before the first ODI between the Proteas and Australia at Kingsmead stadium on Thursday, players came out to play the national anthem to the welcome of many empty blue seats. Despite it being a heritage holiday, when the entire country was off work, and the world champions team returned to their home ground, the atmosphere was far from what was expected.
The stadium has a capacity of 25,000 people, and instead of full stands, the players saw rows of empty seats and open grassy areas. Although several additional fans arrived during the day, organizers did not have to display 'SOLD OUT' signs, as significant empty spaces remained even after Proteas secured a memorable victory over their arch-rivals.
After such a long wait for international cricket to return to South African fields, the situation looked disheartening. Questions arise about the reasons for Kingsmead's lack of attendance, or whether people simply decided not to come, despite it being an event of huge significance.
Australia's series in South Africa
This match was not an insignificant 'dead ball'; it represented a confrontation with Australia, equivalent to Proteas' greatest rivalry, on historic ground for both countries. Moreover, it was a public holiday and the first experience of hosting domestic international cricket in South Africa in almost two years since exile. If there were a scenario for a fully packed and exciting event, this would be it, but the empty seats told their own story.
Previously, Kingsmead hosted the legend Jacques Kallis in December 2013, who was retiring after approaching 13,000 Test matches. Instead of seeing the legend leave for the last time to the cheers of home fans, the crowd was reportedly 'disappointingly small' and bid farewell to the 'greatest cricketer of all time' rather modestly. On Thanksgiving Day, 14,000 people were present, but by the end of the match, this number dropped to an average of around 6,500 per day, which caused concern among an official representative of Cricket South Africa. After this, Kingsmead completely lost its status as a Thanksgiving Test venue, and it permanently moved to Centurion.
Proteas fans turned Hollywoodbets Kingsmead into a sea of green and gold before the series against Australia. However, the uncomfortable truth hidden behind these empty seats was that it should have been different. It should have been a moment where Kingsmead reminded everyone why a city with such rich cricketing heritage deserves to be taken seriously.
Instead, on the one occasion when the event was practically designed for a large gathering, the Durban cricket community showed indifference, similar to how they reacted to Kallis' farewell thirteen years ago. The first counterargument could be the ticket price. But unlike Springbok matches, where an individual ticket cost between R850 and R4,000 for three 'Greatest Rugby Rivalry' Tests on home soil, an entire family of four (two parents and two children under 18) could attend the ODI at Kingsmead for less than R1,000.
Acknowledging that food and drinks would still be required, a home barbecue could have been held right at the stadium. Proteas legend Jacques Kallis waved to the sparse crowd gathered at Kingsmead to say goodbye to the great all-rounder upon his retirement in 2013. The author expresses sympathy to Dolphins manager Heinrich Strydom, new stadium and events manager Krystl Rangiah, and all Kingsmead staff who made improvements, including a food court on the northeast boundary and complete modernization of facilities at Castle Corner to enhance the spectator experience.
The World Cup will soon take place in this country. If Kingsmead wants to be trusted with important matches when the entire cricketing world is watching, Thursday was a test, and the fans once again failed to meet expectations. There will be another chance to make amends during the first Test at the same venue next month, the first three days of which are scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If this chance is not seized and the stadium is not filled, the viability of Kingsmead for hosting major international cricket events in the future will need serious consideration.