It was a big occasion for Australian Test debutants Mitchell Marsh and Steve O’Keefe, but perhaps only a thousand people saw it in person.

The atmosphere was sadly lacking and so was a big crowd for Wednesday’s first day of the first Test between Australia and Pakistan at Dubai’s cricket stadium.

The Twenty20 clash between the sides on October 5 in Dubai was a sell-out, drawing more than 20,000 fans.

But that was at night and Test cricket is played during the day, when thousands of guest workers and passionate cricket fans are unable to attend matches in the United Arab Emirates.

Australia cricket enthusiast Luke Gillian and his band of 27 loyal tour followers were prominent high in the stands behind the bowler’s arm and featured heavily in TV coverage of the game.

Their voices seemed to carry a long way in the near-empty stadium and no doubt the players could hear their words of encouragement.

Australia quick Mitchell Johnson thought the high temperatures may have been a deterrent.

However, it’s believed the issue of guest workers, many of whom are from Pakistan and would love to watch the game in person, is a big issue in terms of getting fans through the gate.

“It is a bit disappointing playing in front of no crowds. A little bit different I guess,” said Johnson, who claimed 3-22 off 20 overs.

“We would like to have bigger crowds at the games and for guys that are playing their first games, it would have been nice for them to have a bigger crowd,” Johnson said.

“But the whole occasion for them was amazing with family and friends here.

“But we knew that would be the case there.

“It is pretty hot and it is hard to sit and watch long hard cricket.”

Johnson has had his troubles with rowdy England fans in the past, although he had his revenge last summer by winning the award for player of the series.

After saying the small crowd in Dubai was disappointing, Johnson went on to describe it as a nice change.

“A bit of peace and quiet,” he grinned.