ICC World Cup 2023: Lukewarm response to Eng vs NZ opener, with huge swathes of empty seats

Even because the 2023 World Cup acquired underway right here with the finalists from the earlier version going through off towards one another, probably the most notable issues was the huge swathes of empty seats on the world’s largest cricket stadium. But it was not shocking, contemplating the hosts weren’t in motion. 

Every World Cup for the reason that 1999 version featured the host within the event’s opening match. The choice to have England and New Zealand begin issues has not helped, particularly with India and Pakistan set to characteristic right here at this venue in lower than days. 

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The buzz across the metropolis additionally appeared mute, with little indication of the world’s largest cricketing extravaganza coming to city. Apart from a large cutout of the World Cup on the airport, there was not a lot branding across the metropolis. 

The lead-up to the occasion additionally has been removed from clean. The schedule was out solely within the final week of June, simply three months earlier than the beginning of the primary match. Then, some key video games, together with the India-Pakistan fixture, had been rescheduled for logistical causes, creating additional confusion. All this meant the tickets went on sale solely within the final week of August, creating further problem for followers eager to plan their journeys. The scenario on the bottom mirrored it, with a sparse crowd wandering in to see two of the most effective groups. 

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Before the match, native officers anticipated a 50% occupancy on the greater than 110,000-capacity venue, which might have crammed most stadiums within the nation and worldwide. However, even a beneficiant estimation would have pegged Thursday’s attendance to be between 20,000 and 30,000, with the quantity being even much less when England began the innings at 2 p.m.

It didn’t make for excellent footage at a giant venue with the crows unfold out evenly. Incidentally, the final time the host nation was not concerned within the World Cup opening sport was again in 1996, when these similar two groups kicked issues off at this venue, albeit in entrance of a much more boisterous crowd.