Steady start to Ashes ticket sales

The first roll-out of Ashes tickets did not match the stampede for the 2006-07 series but more than 60,000 seats were sold for the opening Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide. Members of the Australian Cricket Family were given priority in the initial release ahead of next week's general launch.

Almost 25,000 tickets went in the first 30 minutes for the Brisbane Test, which starts on November 25, and by the end of the day the total had risen to more than 27,000. While local supporters gained a jump on England fans, there will still be at least 20,000 seats available at the Gabba - its daily capacity is 40,000 - to the general public over the first four days.

While the demand was small compared to the unprecedented interest four years ago, Queensland Cricket was pleased with the response. "It's what we'd get for a good series so we're rapt," a spokesman said.

The Sydney Test goes on sale on Thursday for registered members while the Melbourne and Perth tickets will be available on Friday. Unfilled seats will then be made available to the general public from next Wednesday.

Four years ago the ticket systems crashed due to the demand caused by those wanting to see how Australia reacted to their 2005 loss. The result was a 5-0 whitewash of England, the first in an Ashes contest since 1920-21, and the series was watched by a record 930,000 spectators.