Test, a likely financial flop

SYDNEY, November 5: Australia are facing a big financial loss because of low ticket sales for the first cricket Test against New Zealand, local newspapers said today. Fewer than 2,500 tickets have been pre-sold for the opening three days at the 21,000-capacity Gabba, reflecting a widespread lack of interest, Sydney8217;s Daily Telegraph reported.

The poor sales for the Test in Brisbane, starting on Friday, have been attributed to Kiwis8217; relative obscurity and dismal form so far 8220;This series could be to cricket8217;s box office what the flop movie Attack of the Killer Tomatoes was to the cinema industry8230; The worst ever,8221; a Queensland official was quoted as saying. Few of the New Zealanders are familiar to Australian cricket fans.