http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-22/c ... ds/5911160
Two of the best sides in the world were in action on a perfect day at the MCG on Friday, but empty seats abounded at the nation's sporting colosseum.
Only 14,177 people turned up to watch Steve Smith guide Australia to a series-winning, three-wicket win over South Africa, and Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland said the figure was not good enough.
"This is not a good crowd and it's not something we're terribly happy about," Sutherland admitted.
"We would have hoped for a few more."
It surpassed the 12,077 that turned up in 1979 to watch England against Australia - the lowest attendance for a one-day international in Melbourne involving Australia.
Many reasons have been floated for the sparse crowds on offer for the first stages of a marathon 2014/15 season that ends with the World Cup final in March.
It could be the fact games are being played in November, perhaps it is fans saving their money and attention for the tournament Australia co-hosts next year.
Ticket prices have also been criticised, while some have questioned why the white-ball action has been squeezed in before the four-Test series against India.
I don't think it's an overload issue ... I'd be very, very surprised if this is a ticket-price issue.
James Sutherland
"We need to understand a little bit more. It's an unconventional time of the year for us to be playing (in Australia), but at the same time there's a lot more to it," he said.
"We'll do our own assessments.
"I don't think it's an overload issue ... I'd be very, very surprised if this is a ticket-price issue.
"But I don't want to be caught providing specific reasons without us doing our own research to properly understand it, which we will."
Friday was the third time the MCG hosted a one-day international in November, with the two previous games pulling in an average of 19,990 fans.
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