If you were among the lucky ones who secured tickets for the third and fourth days of the Boxing Day Test, you might be wondering how to obtain a refund following the unexpected conclusion of the match on just its second day. This quick result marks the second occurrence in the current Ashes series where a match has ended prematurely, with England emerging victorious over Australia.
Approximately 90,000 fans who had purchased tickets for day three at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will automatically receive refunds, along with many others who bought tickets for the fourth day. A representative from Cricket Australia confirmed that refunds would be processed through the ticketing platforms used by these fans.
Ticketek, the official ticket seller, updated their website on Saturday afternoon stating: "Due to a result being reached in the Boxing Day Test, customers holding tickets for days three and four will receive automatic refunds." Additionally, they sent out text notifications to ticket holders later that evening reiterating this message about the refunds.
This abrupt end to the Test comes shortly after the first Ashes Test held in Perth, which resulted in a financial hit of around $4 million for Cricket Australia, as that match also concluded within two days. However, the potential revenue losses from the Melbourne Test could be significantly greater due to the venue's higher capacity and anticipated attendance. Initial crowd figures for days one and two were impressive, with 94,199 and 92,045 spectators, respectively.
Todd Greenberg, the chief executive of Cricket Australia, candidly remarked on SEN radio, "A simple phrase I’d use is ‘short Tests are bad for business.’ I can’t be much more blunt than that. We want Test cricket to last longer."
Even as the final hours of play on Saturday unfolded, tickets for day three remained available, priced between $88 and $187, while tickets for day four had already sold out. Notably, up to 3,500 English fans have traveled to Australia to join the Barmy Army’s organized tour, with expectations that as many as 40,000 supporters will participate in various activities throughout the week in Melbourne.
Despite Australia winning the Ashes series, England's triumph in this Test marks their first victory on Australian soil in the Ashes since 2011. This victory has fueled recommendations for bar and restaurant managers in Melbourne to increase staffing levels in anticipation of a busy night following the match, with some predicting that the city could see a significant economic boost.
Chris Millard, general manager of the Barmy Army, stated, "Melbourne will thrive if England wins. The bars and restaurants will be quite pleased."
However, the short duration of the match left many cricket enthusiasts feeling disappointed, as expressed on social media. One fan articulated frustration by saying, "What a crap match. Just two days of play!" Another lamented, "The Boxing Day Test could have been an email," and yet another voiced their dissatisfaction by stating, "Not enjoyable, not exciting. We’ve been deprived of a good Boxing Day Test."
This situation raises important discussions about the future of Test cricket and its format. What do you think? Should changes be made to ensure longer matches, or is this a natural part of sporting events? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
