Cricket number one TV sport

Cricket is the most-watched sport on television in Australia, according to a poll by Melbourne-based market research company, Roy Morgan.

In a survey of 50,000 Australians, 47% said they watch cricket on television, 41% watch AFL, 33% watch tennis, 25% watch rugby league, 18% watch golf, and 10% watch rugby union.

In another recent survey, conducted by Cricket Australia, 83% of respondents regarded Australian cricketers as good role models for children.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland said the research showed that cricket in Australia 'is in good shape', but acknowledged that it made clear 'cricket, and indeed all sports, need to do more work to win female support'.

The Roy Morgan figures showed that only 36% of women watched cricket on television, 34% watched AFL, 33% watched tennis, and 12% watched golf.