Hoops

NH: Cricket is boring

Think there's a cultural element too.

Cricket and summer go together like a Mince Pie and Sauce.

People have no doubt being raised like that by their fathers and that's probably carried through to the next generations.

Another thing helping interest and continued viewership in cricket IMO is because by in large things have stayed the same - Channel Nine, the Cricket Show, Iconic commentators, same iconic grounds, similar/same dates, same traditions all round.

Not sure what you think of that but personally I grew up from a young children to a young adult (say 03 when i started watching test cricket until now) and seeing tradition being continued is cool and helps me identify with it like I did when I was a kid.

It is the game, at the time, that is either boring or not (if you don't mind the sport that is), if you just hate a particular sport it matter not as you will find it boring anyway.

I have found basketball games in some cases very exciting and entertaining, yet there has been bad ones, just like any sport.

The 'Big Blue' clash between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC (A-League) the other night was a particularly entertaining game. It was high scoring, dramatic, exciting and eventful, now if you don't mind soccer I think you would agree with me, but if you just don't like the sport you would find it boring no matter what.

Same goes for cricket, like many sports I can think of, baseball, yachting, bowls, hockey, sailing, cycling etc... you either love them of don't, you can watch them if you get into them or if there is a big hype about a particular player or something, but just like cricket, it is not everyone's cup of tea...

#PUNINTENDED

Rugby Union is also a game with suspense. Seriously, if a lot of Australians actually sat down and watched a whole game (Super Rugby with a NZ/Aus team), you will be coming back for more.

Even the breaks/stoppages in RU are full of suspense.

While I have enjoyed (be it quite a few years ago) playing cricket, among many other sports, lately I have found it much less appealing for whatever reasons.

Cricket has, however, found ways of reinventing itself and it does have certain elements appealing to our cultural and community connect.

A bat and a ball down the beach will always beat almost anything else and the enjoyment people get from this is immense. Same goes for the back yard, unless you have a hoop to shoot at, the basketball has kind of a one-on-one element to it whereas cricket can involve the neighbour's kids and the wife (need someone to ref, or hold your beer while you bowl :)!!

Cricket offers us that casual atmosphere, a chance to lie in the sun surrounded by grass and watch the game while basically chilling out and doing whatever you want really. Or in its different forms, a more electrifying mood and entertainment package like in the big bash etc...

Basketball is a one and done kind of event, enjoy the game and then go and do something else.

Cricket offers that community gathering kind of impact on people, allows for many more people to attend due to the sheer size of the arena like the footy, it is a cultural experience that basketball is not able to replicate to the same extent.

Yes, basketball is more entertaining, has more action and if you don't have all day to spare, probably a more appealing option, however just as it can be boring, cricket can also be just the tonic one needs to relax and catch up with ones mates for a great day out...

Yeah, this current test match is definitely not a showcase of entertaining cricket! Even the commentators were sounding fed up with it today.

Each to their own I guess. I enjoy watching cricket.

In terms of mimicking, I assume that is referring to the Twenty20 format of the Big Bash tournament?

One thing the Big Bash does well IMO is having a game on every night. That's something the NBL has taken a big leap with this season with the Wed-Sun scheduling.
Having that consistency of being able to tune into channel X at a certain time pretty much any night has got to help build an audience.