Crowded Cricket Stadiums in the UK: A Contradiction to the Declared Demise of Test Cricket?
Test cricket in the old Blighty seems to be on a roll, bucking the trend that some naysayers are peddling about its impending demise!
Test matches like the one between England and India at Headingley last week and the World Test Championship bout between Australia and South Africa at Lord's earlier this year have drawn huge crowds, proving that people are still eager for a taste of the timeless game. Tickets for the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston cost anywhere from a cool £95 to £185 on day one, and that's just for starters!
Speaking on the first episode of the brand-spanking new Stick To Cricket podcast, presented by Betfair and The Overlap, cricket legend David 'Bumble' Lloyd wasn't having any of the doom and gloom about cricket's old guard. With a wry smile, he said, "without a doubt, [Test cricket is] box-office!"
"You don't get many draws now," he continued, "going back to when I played a draw was a result and you'd get a day's play with 220 runs all day."
Back in 1981, when Bumble was tearing it up on the pitch, a whopping 10,000 spectators stormed into Headingley for the historic Test match between Ian Botham's England and the Aussies. Despite the stadium's capacity comfortably holding over 20,000 fans, the enormous turnout hints at the enduring allure of Test cricket.
In Bumble's humble opinion, cricket has never been more lively, albeit with a few challenges along the way, like those pesky franchises. He shakes his head and chuckles, "I keep reading that Test cricket is dead, then why are the grounds full in the UK?"
Despite the rise of The Hundred, which caters to a younger audience and offers a healthy dose of entertainment, Test cricket in England remains a force to be reckoned with. Numerous domestic competitions like the Rothesay County Championship provide a breeding ground for talent nurtured to represent England in Tests and other formats[1].
Moreover, the ICC has boosted the prize money for the World Test Championship, demonstrating the growing significance and popularity of Test cricket across the globe. As a major powerhouse in this traditional format, England's status is further cemented by high-profile events such as the ICC World Test Championship Final hosted at the hallowed grounds of Lord's in June 2025[2].
As cricket fans gear up for the second Test, which kicks off this Wednesday, they can rest easy knowing that the ageless appeal of the long format remains strong[3]. So, test cricket enthusiasts, don't listen to those who claim the old guard is waning; come on out and soak up the thrilling spectacle!
"The large crowd at Edgbaston and the full grounds in the UK, as mentioned by cricket legend David 'Bumble' Lloyd, show that Test cricket continues to captivate audiences, defying claims it's waning."
"Bumble also pointed out that unlike in his playing days, draws in Test cricket are rare now, indicating the livelier and more spectacular nature of the game, despite the rise of newer formats like The Hundred."
