Optus Stadium test smashes TV cricket record as millions watch Perth give Australia a 1-0 Ashes lead

The West Test reached a television audience of 5.8 million people across Australia, as the Perth pitch proved too hot for England to handle.

A record crowd of 101,515 attended the Test, but those who couldn’t get there in person watched from the couch — with 155,000 people in Perth tuning into 7 as Steve Smith hit the winning run at 5:30pm on Saturday.

An average WA audience of 144,000 was up 66 per cent on last year’s first Test against India, while the BVOD audience streaming the action on 7Plus Sport surged up 310 per cent.

Nationwide across the two days, an average audience of 1.17 million watched on 7, up 60 per cent on last year’s first Test against India.

A record cricket audience of 1.6 million tuned into the third session on day two.

“These results reinforce that The Ashes remains the biggest stage in world cricket, and fans are choosing Seven and 7Plus in extraordinary numbers,” Seven’s head of Cricket Joel Starcevic said.

“What unfolded at Optus Stadium was elite sport at its absolute best.

“To see Australia chase down a target that looked far out of reach earlier in the day shows exactly why audiences are flocking to this series.

“The performance and the atmosphere at this Test match have set the tone for an unforgettable summer of cricket on Seven and 7plus Sport.”