Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Unscripted Drama

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  • Emma Hart, in reply to Alan Perrott,

    as for current prices, how do they compare to Super 15 and such?

    Does it matter? I don’t think they’re comparable. I mean, I’m happy(ish) to pay $45 for a one-dayer. I’m paying for a whole game. $45 for one day of a test? Nuh-uh.

    You might say, it’s not a bad price for a day’s entertainment. But it’s clearly the wrong price: you just have to look at the empty stands. If twice as many people would go for a day if the tickets were $20, NZ Cricket has its pricing wrong. That’s not even taking into account how much money people spend when they spend a whole day at a ground. And if their pricing is putting off middle-class people who love cricket? It’s just wrong. You're excluding too much of your market.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Alan Perrott,

    as for current prices, how do they compare to Super 15 and such?

    That's a bad comparison. For S15 the attendance is high enough and reliable enough that it becomes a legitimate part of the budget. For test cricket they know for certain that they will get a couple of thousand at best, essentially they know they will make no money from gate sales maybe $5-10000. All the profit from test cricket comes from TV sales. And the profitability of the tour depends on the success of those TV sales and the attendance at one day and twenty 20 matches.

    They could, if they chose, make entry free for test matches and it would make no difference to the success financially of the tour.

    That isn't true for one day matches or twenty 20. Nor is it true of S15.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    Absorbing is the word. Every ball could be a turning point. (NB -note the use of 3 cricket terms in that!). The 500+ innings from NZ. The “weak” reply from India. The stomach churning collapse of NZ, the debilitating damn near pulling it off by India along with the final bowling acts by NZ.

    Compare with the draw against England last year. Waiting waiting waiting on that next ball to deliver the coup de gras to the number 11. Gahhh!! Absorbing.

    Please please Cricket NZ. Cheap tickets and expensive beer. That should satisfy all. Get a freaking crowd. After being in Australia last year for the Ashes and watching the media interest, the sellout crowds (Melbourne Cricket Ground no less 96,000!!! or some bloody stupid figure) and the talk in the streets, we do have something to learn. It IS a spectator sport especially when you are in a crowd that applauds both teams. Anything other than test cricket just ain’t cricket.

    And here are the ticket prices for the Boxing Day Test

    Get a general ticket for $30 per day. Kids $190, Pensioners $18. Last day is $20. And buying at the ground incurs $0 fee.

    Aussie dollars too!

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Alan Perrott,

    maybe not. perhaps they could be talked into introducing a discount if you promise, cross your heart and put ice cream on top that you'll go to more than one day. otherwise Auckland needs a proper cricket venue - ideally free from any commercial arrangements - where you can rock up with your own tucker and refreshment, and sit on some grass. isn't there a plan being proposed for Western Springs?

    but I'm quite happy enjoying only one day of a match at the venue. too many summer holidays painting walls have trained me to using a portable radio as my default cricket format. tests then merge into my normal day to day with my focus depending on where the match is at.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 438 posts Report Reply

  • Chris Waugh, in reply to Ross Mason,

    coup de gras

    coup de grâce, surely? I'd hate to think they'd resorted to throwing lumps of fat at each other.

    Kids $190

    ummmm..... typo? Or they really, really want to discourage kids and thereby ensure NZ cricket has no future?

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 2401 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    $10!! Ah you missed my pun. Duck!!

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rowe, in reply to Russell Brown,

    That would be a total screw-up in which NZ Cricket is complicit:

    Why am I surprised?

    IANAL, but I seem to recall that information cannot be subject to copyright - in other words watching a delivery can be restricted to those who pay, but describing what is happening in text is merely information?

    Having read that after I wrote it, I suppose live-text is not dissimilar to hearing a radio commentary, and radio stations do get exclusive rights to broadcast.

    Frankly, it's still a bit shit and tight-fisted.

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    Get a general ticket for $30 per day. Kids $10, Pensioners $18. Last day is $20. And buying at the ground incurs $0 fee.

    Not only that, you're at the MCG, one of the better sporting facilities in the world.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rowe,

    As for the prices, it is frankly embarrassing to have such small crowds. Surely there's money to be made on drinks and food if you have a big crowd? Charge a gold coin for entry and watch the bar and food concession tills ring up the profits!

    I had read somewhere they get around 96k to the boxing day test. I remember reading an interview with Bob Willis who said that when he played his first test there in the early 70s there had previously been some alcohol issues, so punters were limited to 24 cans per person per day! Maybe (even Aussie) cricket crowds are more genteel than rugby ones? :)

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Ross Mason,

    And buying at the ground incurs $0 fee.

    It looks to me like it does.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • bmk, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I had the cricinfo ball-by-ball commentary on pretty much the whole game and it wasn’t delayed.

    It only seemed to be delayed via the Cricinfo mobile app, for some reason.

    This is exactly it. It's mad. I'd follow on Cricinfo on the web and it would be live, check on my mobile app and it would be delayed. Makes no sense.

    Since Jun 2010 • 327 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Ross Mason,

    The 500+ innings from NZ. The “weak” reply from India. The stomach churning collapse of NZ, the debilitating damn near pulling it off by India along with the final bowling acts by NZ.

    You forgot the umpiring mistakes that could have so easily been fixed if the DRS was in use. Drama.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Martin Barry,

    Ticket prices were massively discounted if bought a few weeks in advance and $45 for a 5 day pass was an absolute bargain if you were popping along for more than 1 day and I'm very glad to say I did.
    Great writing Russell and so true about time suspending as the catch is taken (or not) behind the stumps when you have that over the wicket view from either the North or South stands.
    Did you happen to catch the Swami Army in the South Stand? Unwavering support for their team, all spiced with marvelous humour and irony. I particularly enjoyed the chants calling for the DRS when it suited them and " We're BCCI and we do what we want"
    Two fantastic test matches at Eden Park in two years after a 5 year absence, we are blessed :)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 13 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    From the price list:

    Agency $6.70
    Call Centre $9.55
    Web (mail) $7.80
    Web (ezyTicket) $5.55
    Mobile (via web) $6.70
    Mobile (via call centre) $9.55
    Box Office $0.00

    If I recall walking past the MCG the ground ticket office is the Box Office. I think we're safe. No EXTRA fee other than what is already in the ticket.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Al C, in reply to Alan Perrott,

    The Stadiums Strategy is currently being consulted on as part of the Annual Plan process I think: Auckland Stadiums Strategy-Public Consultation.

    Although given the link to the consultation documents doesn't seem to have any of said documents (at least not clearly labelled) it's not the best consultation ever conducted.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2012 • 5 posts Report Reply

  • Jane Pearson,

    Many years ago when we lived and worked in Mount Cook Village, we would travel to and from Christchurch and, whenever cricket was on, we would listen on a crackly car radio in our VW beetle as we drove across the Canterbury Plains. And I was introduced to the magic of cricket and remember my partner saying one of the things he loved about cricket was that a single ball could change the game. As we got closer to the foothills, the reception would fade permanently and we would know no more until the paper arrived in the village the next day. These days we mostly follow cricinfo.
    I've enjoyed reading this thread and, like others have mentioned, we've hung in with the Black Caps and this season it's been well worth it. One day I might get organised to go and watch.

    Since Feb 2010 • 28 posts Report Reply

  • Ethan Tucker, in reply to bmk,

    I’d follow on Cricinfo on the web and it would be live, check on my mobile app and it would be delayed

    I deleted the Cricinfo app ages ago and just use the m.cricinfo site on my phone, which has all the necessary details without the constant app update hassles and mysteriously sorting itself to the very last page of my phone screens all the time.

    Wellington • Since Apr 2008 • 119 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Irvine,

    Hi all, just wanted to chip in with a couple of points (I work at NZC).

    If you weren't aware or had missed it, the Priority Ticketing made your $40 ODI or Test day pass became $20 if you booked it three weeks out, or $30 right up until first ball of each match or Test match day's play - that goes for the Basin this week too. The usual fees etc go on top of that. So if you're planning on going to the Basin Test I'd get on board, there's heaps of time - scroll down to the pricing table. Like one commenter said, if you;re planning on going to more than one day a match pass is the way to go.

    On days three we discounted the last session to $15 plus fees adults and and on day four we discounted the last two sessions, hope you all caught that on the Twitter. Again, if there's anything similar for Wellington, keep your eyes peeled on our account.

    To compare, here are the prices for the MCG boxing day Test - cheapest on the gate is $45 from what I can see.

    We're well aware of the feedback from the Test pricing in particular, as always, we will review it all in time for next season.

    There's a bit more about it all here.

    Anyway - the cricket, wasn't it brilliant? After going through the 'glorious near-miss' v England, it felt much, MUCH better to nail it this time. Looking forward to finishing the job in the capital. Cheers.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 242 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Littlewood, in reply to Richard Irvine,

    Anyway - the cricket, wasn't it brilliant? After going through the 'glorious near-miss' v England, it felt much, MUCH better to nail it this time. Looking forward to finishing the job in the capital. Cheers.

    Absolutely, but the match at Eden Park also showed how much this side has grown over the last few months too. .True, McCullum's captaincy is often as hair-trigger impulsive/erratic as his batting, but it seems to be galvanizing the team. I always wonder whether he's one "bright idea" from totally scotching a match, but I can't argue with the recent results. The side is starting to exude a sense of self-belief and determination that is really refreshing

    Wagner's final spell was wonderful viewing- he put everything into it, you could see the strain and desire in his eyes. And he was duly rewarded, too. It's interesting, when he was initially picked for NZ, he was touted as a strike bowler, when really, he's best used as a workhorse.

    It's also worth pointing out how young many of the side's key players are- Trent Boult, Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson (whose impact has been as phenomenal as it has been immediate) and Jimmy Neesham are all only 23, and Tim Southee is only 24. In other words, there is a core of players who should be around for some time.

    Even Ross Taylor is only 29, and he's in the form of his life- in fact, he's displaying a sense of confidence and control at the crease that his mentor Martin Crowe used to show.

    On paper, this is the most talented NZ cricket side in years- even allowing for the perennial issues with the top order. I'm sure there will be matches where they will stuff things up really badly, even in the near future, but (whisper it), I expect this is a side that could bring me as much enjoyment as misery over the next few years. Considering what supporters have put up with in recent times, that's progress!

    (As an aside, this series against India has been doubly fascinating because it's been played against a backdrop of the BCCI's attempted hostile takeover of world cricket, along with revelations of seriously corrupt practices in the Indian Premier League. The actual cricket's been fantastic, but the context is just as important)

    Today, Tomorrow, Timaru • Since Jan 2007 • 449 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    That’s perfect. Reality television is sometimes referred to in the broadcast industry as “unscripted drama”, but it’s almost always dull, irritating and contrived in comparison to the drama that unfolds in a great sporting contest. And the characters usually suck.

    Will reality TV ever jump the shark? Or is it too cheap to produce for it to happen? I’ve read somewhere that entire genres collapse under their own weight when they become dominated by deconstructions and merciless parodies – for disaster movies it was Airplane!, and for horror flicks it was the Scary Movie series. Reality TV has had Series 7: The Contenders, and Battle Royale, but they’ve remained cult hits for the most part. The Hunger Games deconstructs reality TV alright, but not enough to cause it to collapse.

    As for the Sochi Winter Games, it’ll probably be best known for funny pictures of 4 toilets in the same room and glass cups full of unnaturally coloured water.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Richard Irvine,

    To compare, here are the prices for the MCG boxing day Test – cheapest on the gate is $45 from what I can see.

    Until you can get 90000 to come to a blackcaps test match reliably such a comparison is meaningless.

    Priority Ticketing made your $40 ODI or Test day pass became $20 if you booked it three weeks out, or $30 right up until first ball of each match or Test match day’s play

    Which is great except cricket is weather dependent. Unless you figure out some compensation for rain or light then that discount is a pure gamble and for those living in Auckland our experience with weather suggests it is a gamble somewhat akin to Lotto.

    All that said I agree you have been trying to sort out pricing a bit better. I would prefer if the cheaper prices on the afternoons of later days were just policy so I could plan my work day around the possibility of getting everything done in the morning and taking advantage of a cheaper ticket in the afternoon.

    The waiting until the last minute to decide if you are going reduce prices just smacks of someone trying to profit if the match is interesting and discounting if it is boring ... that really doesn't feel like cricket.

    And really, what is the issue with having a $5 day on day two and trying to actually fill Eden Park with test match fans? I'm sure the accountants would go all pale at the thought but surely it is about the game some of the time?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Matthew Littlewood,

    how much this side has grown

    Absolutely. I love the fact that we've gone from the "one-trick pony" of bash the ball and hope, to having a range of batsmen with different styles. You almost feel now like if one person fails then the next will fill the gap and play a solid innings.

    The exception are the openers. Somehow we need to find some players who believe in leaving the ball for the first hour and who know where their stumps actually are.

    The bowling team I still am nervous about. Corey Anderson does not look like he is robust enough to bowl the way he does for his entire career. Wagner is all energy and anger which is great but limited. And too often I've watched Southee and Boult appear to be stuck for ideas when the ball isn't swinging and the batsmen are playing sensible test cricket (waiting for the inevitable loose ball).

    All of the above said in the full knowledge that the Blackcaps are much better players than I could ever be, while still not being as good as I want them to be.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Samuel Scott,

    Also, a note on the Sevens. I hate the sevens, I hate Wellington during the Sevens. It is absolutely not my thing. BUT! Lot’s of people love it, it’s a big crazy party and I think we need to do more to cater to the drunken mob as opposed to just complaining every year.

    It's pretty telling that for the first time, the Sevens has not played to a full house. I wonder if the Sevens has become NZ's equivalent of the 'English Disease'. It sadly takes just a small bunch of yobbos to ruin everything for the rest of us. And when they do ruin it, they ruin it horribly. Even if the cops were issued spiked clubs and SMGs, it still wouldn't solve the problem.

    As with the Listener article I linked to, there's quite possibly an undercurrent of chauvinist jingoism associated with bingeing. Since that article was published, the English Defence League has sprung up from the soccer hooligan movement.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Irvine,

    @Bart understand on the weather - there's a bit of a policy on that, if less that 25 overs are played in an ODI, you get a 100% refund and so on for the other formats, all the details are here. Hopefully that would soften the 'lottery' a bit.

    In case you missed it, the last two sessions were discounted on the fourth day at Eden Park, when the match was very interesting indeed. Thanks.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 242 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen R, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    It's pretty telling that for the first time, the Sevens has not played to a full house

    A friend who watches these things (I don't) said that instead of selling out on the first day as usual, the website crapped itself and people couldn't buy tickets, and his theory was that people who couldn't get tickets failed to notice that there were still tickets available until it reached the point where they'd failed to organise with their friends to go as a group, and that going as a group is a lot of the point.

    It's also possible that a bunch of people figured out that if you didn't buy tickets to the sevens you could still dress up in costume and hang out in the bars in town, so they didn't bother.

    I dunno, but I hadn't seen anyone else mention the website crash (I can't even find a link saying it happened).

    Wellington • Since Jul 2009 • 259 posts Report Reply

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