Former England Captain Kevin Pietersen has called on cricket boards to introduce free admission to Test matches at venues struggling to attract spectators, arguing that revenue from T20 franchise competitions should support the longer format. His proposal comes amid concerns over sparse crowds during South Africa’s ongoing Test series against Australia, despite the competitive cricket on display.
Pietersen proposes franchise-funded model for Test cricket
In a post on X, Pietersen wrote: “Test Cricket in places that struggle for crowds should make it FREE to enter! Boards should make their money off their franchise tournaments. There is no way that Durban (venue of the first Test) and PE (Gqeberha) have made enough money off ticket sales to justify no one there watching.”
Test Cricket in places that struggle for crowds should make it FREE to enter!
Boards should make their money off their franchise tournaments.
There is no way that Durban and PE have made enough money off ticket sales to justify no one there watching.— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) October 21, 2026
Pietersen’s comments follow concerns raised by former Australia batter David Warner about the lack of spectators at the second Test in Gqeberha.
The opening Test in Durban drew fewer than 20,000 spectators across five days, with substantial areas of Kingsmead left unoccupied, as previously reported by cricexec. The second Test in Gqeberha also struggled to attract crowds during its rain-affected opening two days, adding to concerns over spectator turnout for high-profile Test cricket.
England’s Test crowds stand apart in Pietersen’s assessment
The attendance debate also extends beyond South Africa, with Pietersen drawing comparisons between the crowds seen in England and those at major Test matches elsewhere.
In a separate post on X, Pietersen wrote: “It’s only really in England where Test Cricket sees full houses, right? Maybe Aus on Boxing Day and NY Test, but England tops the list for attendances, right?”
It’s only really in England where Test Cricket sees full houses, right?
Maybe Aus on Boxing Day and NY Test, but England tops the list for attendances, right?— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) October 21, 2026
The South Africa-Australia series involves two of the leading teams in international red-ball cricket. The sides contested the 2025 World Test Championship final and occupy the top two positions in the standings for the 2025–27 championship cycle.
South Africa-Australia series highlights attendance concerns
The cricket itself has featured significant changes in momentum across the opening two Tests.
Australia won the first match despite an early batting collapse, while South Africa recovered from a difficult position in the second Test after much of the opening day was lost to rain.
The hosts were 110/6 at the start of Day 3 before Captain Temba Bavuma’s 179 helped them declare at 425/9. Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer also contributed half-centuries.
Jansen claimed five wickets on Day 4 as Australia were bowled out for 99 in their first innings, prompting South Africa to enforce the follow-on. Australia reached 156/4 in their second innings by stumps, still trailing by 170 runs and needing to erase the deficit to avoid an innings defeat.
Pietersen also questions changes to Test cricket shirts
Beyond stadium attendance, Pietersen has separately expressed his preference for a more traditional presentation of Test cricket.
In another post on X, he wrote: “Call me old fashioned but I don’t like players names and numbers on their back in Test Cricket.
Call me old fashioned but I don’t like players names and numbers on their back in Test Cricket
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) October 21, 2026
The introduction of player names and numbers on Test shirts accompanied the launch of the World Test Championship in 2019, replacing the previously plain backs of players’ shirts.
Pietersen, who returned to the England national team setup after 12 years, is currently serving as the side’s specialist White-Ball Mentor. He took up the position ahead of England’s home series against Sri Lanka and is expected to remain in the role until the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
