The West Test: Australia’s clash with India breaks attendance record for single day of Test cricket in WA
It has taken just an hour of play for The West Test against India to smash Perth’s all-time single-day attendance record.
More than 24,000 fans — many of them supporting India — have flocked to the opening day of the heavyweight bout between world cricket’s two best Test teams.
The crowd is still building through the first session and officials are expecting that number to tip over 30,000 on the opening day.
The previous record was 22,178 on the second day of the 2017 Ashes Test against England at the WACA Ground.
Early figures indicate this match is on track to break the all-time attendance record for a Test in Western Australia, which is currently the 103,440 that saw Australia claim the 2006-2007 Ashes at the WACA.
Australian fans have been treated to early wickets, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood both claiming scalps, but Indian supporters have caught an early glimpse of their hero, Virat Kohli, who came to the crease after less than an hour of play.
The packed crowd included a group of fans dressed as Perth food icon Tony Galati, with one wearing a potato outfit.
Camera IconThe Galati fans. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
Manjul Sharma has been travelling around the world with the Indian team and said he was planning to bring his saxophone inside the stadium.
“Cricket Australia have given me special permission,” the Adelaide local said.
Lucas Woods, 11, told his school his was sick so he could score a seat with his nana, pop and dad on Friday.
“I’m excited to watch the Aussies make runs and get wickets,” he said.
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