The first Test at the Gabba has set a new trans-Tasman attendance record for the venue, despite stands being empty and fans sparse.

Day four of the clash attracted just 6,608 cricket supporters, largely due to showers that meant only 53 overs of play was possible.

The crowd over the first four days totalled 52,199.

The highest attendance for a trans-Tasman Test at the venue had previously been 52,082 – in 2004.

The first day was the best attended, when 16,181 came to the ground.

To put the numbers in a different context, AFL club Brisbane managed to draw a bigger crowd to eight of their 11 games in 2015.

The Lions finished second last on the ladder, winning just four games for the season.

It shows just how low-drawing a side New Zealand are, while the unusually early date for the first Test has also been a source of frustration for Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket.

“We would rather be a week later,” CA chief executive James Sutherland recently told ABC radio.

“Without going into all the intricate details, the dates for the World Twenty20 (in March 2016) … had been pushed to an earlier time.

“That just squeezed us back into this first week of November.

“(Melbourne) Cup week is difficult … to create the noise and anticipation about it is very difficult.”

Nonetheless, it’s understood Cricket Australia’s promotional spend on the Gabba Test was relatively small compared to the funds being invested in other fixtures.

The absence of a tour game in Brisbane meant the Black Caps arrived the week of the game and captured little local interest.

Ticket prices was the explanation that most Twitter users gave for the modest turnout.

Regardless of the reasons, the empty stands were an unsightly backdrop to the contest between Australia and New Zealand.

Plenty of pundits bemoaned the modest turnout, many opining that it showed the need for players to embrace day-night Tests.

“The crowds for this Test are consistent with our forecast,” a CA spokesperson said.

“However, in saying that, we always want more people through the gates and anticipate that to be the case during the next two Test matches.”

Ticket sales for the day-night clash at Adelaide Oval, which will feature the controversial pink ball, are at Ashes levels according to CA.

FIRST TEST CROWD

Day 1 – 16,181

Day 2- 14,187

Day 3 – 15,223

Day 4 – 6,608.