Mumbai: More number of spectators witnessed the India-South Africa match on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as compared to the people present on February 14, the opening day of the World Cup match between Australia and England in Melbourne.
This was revealed by Stephen Gough, the CEO at the Melbourne Cricket Club.
Speaking exclusively over phone after the completion of match on Sunday, he said, “Definitely there were more people (in excess of 85,000) today than the Australia-England match.”
According to the CEO of the MCC (Melbourne Cricket Club), the venue-host, will get a very small amount from to-day’s gate-money.
“The major amount will be taken by the ICC and the two local organising nations (Australia and New Zealand) will share the gate-receipts,” he further added.
“There are a lot of Indians living in Melbourne and people also came from other cities of this country. It was a boost to the Indian team.”
“India played exceedingly well today and scored above 300 runs and the brilliant target was always difficult to achieve by the opposite team.”
No ODI team has made 300 while batting 2nd at MCG.
“Sachin Tendulkar was the ICC guest and was well looked after by the ICC.
Sachin Tendulkar has been a brand ambassador of the World Cup.
“I am not aware whether his (Sachin’s) wife is there here with him but Anil Kumble was present with his wife. Kumble has been inducted into ICC’s Hall of Fame.”
