More spectators witnessed the India-South Africa match at the MCG yesterday as compared to the Feb 14 opening clash of the 2015 World Cup featuring Australia and England, according to Stephen Gough
MelbourneIndian supporters cheer their team on during their Cricket World Cup pool B match against South Africa in Melbourne
More spectators witnessed the India-South Africa match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) yesterday as compared to the February 14 opening clash of the 2015 World Cup featuring Australia and England, according to Stephen Gough, the CEO of the Melbourne Cricket Club.
MelbourneIndian supporters cheer their team on during their Cricket World Cup pool B match against South Africa in Melbourne. Pic/AFP
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Speaking over the phone at the completion of yesterday's match which India won by 130 runs, Gough said: "Definitely, there were more people (86,876) today than the Australia-England (84,336) match."
However, the hosts venue will get a very small amount from the gate-money. "The major amount will be taken by the International Cricket Council and the two local organising nations (Australia and New Zealand) will share the gate-receipts.
There are a lot of Indians living in Melbourne and people also came from other cities to watch the game. It was a boost to the Indian team," added Gough.
Yesterday's match was India's first World Cup game in the Victorian city. In the 1992 World Cup, the Indians played their games in Perth, Mackay, Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide.