SYDNEY, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Australian basketball fans were left feeling deflated Thursday night, with the first of two World Cup warm-up games between Australia and the U.S. drawing harsh criticism amid disappointing seating arrangements and lack of star power.

Australia's Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), revealed that a number of ticket refunds had been issued, while an online petition demanding accountability garnered over 2,700 signatures.

Melbourne's Marvel Stadium, which usually houses large-scale Australian Rules football games, was transformed for the event using thousands of plastic chairs surrounding a raised central court.

However, shortly after the gates opened, social media lit up with ticket holders complaining about the impaired view from their seats, for which they had paid hundreds of dollars.

Hollywood actor and Gladiator star Russell Crowe was among those not entertained, posting on his Twitter account, "1,500 [Australian dollars] a ticket for this view.... joke's on me."

"If you weren't among 50,000 there and you chose to watch it on TV at home, good decision."

If a 102-86 result to the U.S, and sub-par seating wasn't enough, the absense of NBA stars whose images were used to advertise the event also drew the ire of fans.

Originally, tickets were advertised using players such as Steph Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant. However, the months leading up to the event saw several high-profile dropouts, including Australia's own NBA hero, Ben Simmons.

Australia will take on the U.S. at Marvel Stadium for a second time on Saturday. Enditem

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