Thanks for your response.

I appreciate that there is no chance that the ECB would suddenly go out and look to build a ground of the size of the MCG – nor should it.

My point is that building bigger stadiums could go along way to increasing the poularity of the game in England. I’m not suggesting re-building all stadiums, but perhaps creating a few with a capacity of say 45k to 60k used for the big games. These would effectively let twice as many people in. If built affordably, the higher supply of tickets should reduce the cost of an average seat (as is the case at Australian grounds. A ticket to watch a day’s play at the GABBA – 42,000 seats – costs A$25 or 13 pounds.) So the equation is more seats = cheaper tickets = more spectators.

I appreciate your point that administrators need to be sure that these grounds would be cost effective and capable of sustaining themselves. I just think that allowing more people – especially young people wanting to watch the likes of Flintoff and Broad in the flesh – to watch test cricket at a ground is an important step in helping ensure that the popularity of the game grows, as this would no doubt have a flow on effect to the strength of the national side.

Jeremy.

The thing that really hampers cricket’s popularity in the UK is the lack of facilities for young people. Until this is fully resolved at the (cliche) grass roots level cricket will never be as popular as it was or should be, this counts for pretty much all other sports too.