WCC research: Declining Test attendances

In October 2009, MCC commissioned research into the reasons attendances at Test cricket were declining in parts of the world.

A survey of 1,500 cricket in India, New Zealand and South Africa shows:

Day/night Tests

A clear majority of respondents said they would be more likely to attend a Test match if changes were made to the start time.

Amongst those who have attended a Test match previously:

In India almost six in 10 say that the time that play starts is important in influencing their decision to attend, with seven in 10 more likely to attend if changes are made in this area

In New Zealand almost four in 10 say that the time that play starts is important in influencing their decision to attend, with six in 10 more likely to attend if changes are made in this area

Could we see floodlit Tests at Lord's? In South Africa almost five in 10 say that the time that play starts is important in influencing their decision to attend, with seven in 10 more likely to attend if changes are made in this area.

In South Africa, 71% of fans who have never attended a Test said they would be more likely to attend if changes were made to the start time. Comparable figures amongst Indian and New Zealand fans were 69% and 49% respectively.