Crowd Important But Entertainment In Sport Depends On Playing Quality: Michael Holding

West Indies legend Michael Holding has said what was required to be said. Spectators might have become an important part of any sport. Their absence, during the closed door games in the pandemic situation, left a void. Moreover, it is crowd that boosts up a team’s morale with their loud cheer which can also turn into jeers if the side is under performing.

It is often said that spectators are the 12th man of a team. They put their back behind a side and also sit on the edge of their seats in a tense situation. Over the years fans have given their all but it is not quite enough and should be judged as a parameter for any sport that is being played on an international stage.

Michael Holding believes entertainment in any sport is determined by the standard of play not what is happening in crowd

Michael Holding believes crowd might be a part of a sport but entertainment in a sport is only determined by the playing quality not what is going on in the stands. He also added that crowds are very important but the standard of a game should be determined by the kind of ‘football or cricket’ that is being played.

“Entertainment in any sport is determined by the standard of play in that sport and not by what is happening in the stands,” Holding, one of the most respected voices in world cricket, told PTI in an exclusive interaction.

“Crowds are very important to add the atmosphere but like football, that has restarted in the UK, the entertainment has been the standard of football played,” Holding added.

Holding retired with 249 Test wickets and 142 in ODIs.