Like any other sport, is cricket without spectators boring?

[DeadBall]

What is a sport without the spectators? I have seen many a football, cricket etc game played in an empty stadium where genius goals and glorious drives have looked just alright because there was no one to cheer it on.

On the other hand I have seen fluke cuts and edges go for boundaries to roaring applause just because there was crowd support and someone actually there to appreciate the effort no matter how minimal.

I personally find cricket without spectators cheering the good shots quite boring, and to top it off even worse with monotone commentators (speaking domestically) like Chisti Mujahi, Bazid Khan (although he has great domestic knowledge and insight).

 

[Abdullah719]

I think most fans will find domestic cricket boring generally because the atmosphere is not very conducive for enjoyment. However, I personally enjoy it when there are close matches (a few in the National T20 Cup) and if the contest is generally good, etc. regardless of the lack of spectators. When the level of cricket is low with a lot of poor quality players and cricket on display, that's when I completely lose interest.

PCB's marketing of domestic cricket is really poor. But then again, I was informed that spectators weren't allowed at several matches during the recent Departmental One-Day Cup! So marketing wouldn't help in that case anyway...

 

[DeadBall]

I think most fans will find domestic cricket boring generally because the atmosphere is not very conducive for enjoyment. However, I personally enjoy it when there are close matches (a few in the National T20 Cup) and if the contest is generally good, etc. regardless of the lack of spectators. When the level of cricket is low with a lot of poor quality players and cricket on display, that's when I completely lose interest.

PCB's marketing of domestic cricket is really poor. But then again, I was informed that spectators weren't allowed at several matches during the recent Departmental One-Day Cup! So marketing wouldn't help in that case anyway...

True. Just look at what happened to Nasir Nawaz when he tried to raise this very issue up. Also I found the match where FATA had to chase 160 odd in 16 overs really intriguing and I was with them all the way. Even when there was a confusion (as usual) and the commentators were saying they hadn't qualified as they had to do it in 16.2, I think but did it in 16.3 courtesy to a six from Hmmad (again I think) but they actually did. The fact that they actually did it due to the miscalculation was even more enthralling.

But those matches are a one in a hundred and are an exception to the rule instead of the norm.

 

[Sirris]

Human are social beings. Spectators mean widespread social acceptance. It's in our nature to seek social acceptance hence why a big crowd looks far more exciting then following a match with empty stands. Irrespective of how interesting the match actually is.

 

[WC-Passion]

Without the fans, sport would be nothing. It's a simple as that, no sport can get around it really.

 

[BaankeJi]

Without the fans, sport would be nothing. It's a simple as that, no sport can get around it really.

I think question is about fans in the stadium.

 

[jnaveen1980]

under 19 hardly had anyone watching. But it was good to watch it on TV.

 

[aloo paratha]

Test matches are interesting but sometimes have very little spectators.

 

[babajee]

It’s more about the quality of production and commentators when you watch on TV.

 

[WengerOut]

Cricket in some parts is becoming an TV audience sport which is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[JattMaula]

Nope. Cricket is cricket. Doesn't need cheering fans to confirm the quality or mediocrity.

 

[WC-Passion]

I think question is about fans in the stadium.

I thought that goes without saying too, nobody wants to play or even watch in an empty stadium.

 

[Sher Khan]

It depends. I find test cricket in the UAE extremely boring but not only because 3 fans and 6 teddy bears come to watch the match, but also because the matches their are between low quality teams and are generally bore fests, with teams relying on tiring out the opposition.

 

[introvert]

Yes it is.international cricket without cheering from fans for every four or six or wicket looks boring and forced on you as a viewer.

 

[MMHS]

It has to be seen opposite way actually - cricket is an unique sports which takes longer hours to finish, even 5 days hence here the measurement shouldn't be done with sports that finishes in 2 hours. Rather, I say cricket is extremely involving game as most fans keep attached with live scoring (via net or radio), whereas hardly anyone bothers to follow scores of a soccer or basketball game in net or radio - either they watch (at stadium or tv) or don't bother at all - just get informed about the final result later.

One similar comparison I can give is Golf, which is played for 4 days and there is hardly any spectator in earlier rounds - and gold fans don't follow live score card much either.