Social media erupts at empty Optus Stadium as only 16,000 spectators attend Perth Test in crash back down to arth for Australia's team

Australia played in front of a bare Optus Stadium on Thursday and it was certainly noticeable for cricket fans watching at home.

Cricket Australia confirmed at the close of play that 16,259 fans attended Day One of Pat Cummins's side's contest against Pakistan, in a match dubbed The West Test by cricket bosses.

But fans failed to turn up in their droves to support the home team, despite them recently returning from India following their World Cup triumph.

Optus Stadium's empty seats were clear for the world to see, with fans taking to social media to discuss the low attendance at the 60,000-seat arena.

Some fans called for the first Test of the Aussie summer to return to Brisbane's Gabba stadium, while others argued the attendance was a positive showing on a work day before the holidays.

'Remind me again why the 1st test of the summer was moved from the Gabba?' one fan asked.

'It should be at the Gabba - full stop,' another said.

A deflated West Australian admitted: 'Unfortunately we don't deserve test cricket anymore. 

'Despite the challenges (weekday, temperature etc) we talk a big game but fail to show up. Then we whinge when we lost the test. It's frustrating, but I just don't think we hold the same passion for cricket like we used to.'

A number of fans defended the attendance figure, given it the opening day was played on a weekday, but one supporter shot that theory down.

'Let's play all 5 days on weekends so Perth people may show up. Pathetic.' 

Another fan suggested: 'Should've been held at the WACA and the big teams like India and England play at Perth stadium where they will actually draw a crowd.'

The attendance of just over 16,000 is pretty much on par with other opening days in Perth in years gone by, but outgoing WA Cricket boss Christina Matthews was hoping to pass 25,000 in the build up to the first day.

Cummins, who captained Australia in front of 90,000 fans in the World Cup final, was also hopeful of a strong crowd.

'I'm sure it's going to be well-supported here,' he said beforehand. 

'Some of the Test matches you play in Australia, I think school might still be in here, you might not get the packed stadium, but you know there's going to be millions of people watching. 

'And it's kind of the start of their summer, that first Test match. So we feel really supported whenever we play over here and probably after the last 12 months we've had, I've never felt the support like we have in the last month."