Heading into the first Test of the summer between Australia and South Africa at the WACA, there was a bit of conjecture about the future of international cricket at the iconic ground. So, we’ve decided to clear that up.
With the new Perth Stadium being built just across the Swan River from the WACA in Burswood, there had been some speculation that the South Africa Test could be the last match of its kind played at the ground.
That, however, is not the case.
Here are the answers to all the main questions about the future of cricket at the WACA.
Where will next year’s Perth Ashes Test be played?
We’re not sure yet. If Perth Stadium is completed in time, it will host the blockbuster Test. If not, the WACA will be the venue for the third Test between Australia and England.
At the moment, it’s too early to make the call on whether Perth Stadium will be ready to go for the Ashes Test. As of the end of October construction was 63 per cent complete, having started in December 2014.
Given the Test will be played in early December, 2017, there is a chance the new stadium will be ready. It’s a bit of a long shot, though, and the stadium’s website currently says it will be open for the start of the 2018 AFL season.
As it stands, we’d put our money on the WACA hosting the Test. But really, it’s still too early to say for certain.
Once it’s complete, what games will be played at Perth Stadium?
Essentially, the ones which will attract a crowd larger than 15,000 people.
In more detail, each international match between Australia and a ‘top-tier’ nation – any one of England, India and South Africa – and all Perth Scorchers home games in the Big Bash will be played at the stadium in Burswood.
So what games does that leave for the WACA?
Every other international will still be played at the WACA, which, under the Western Australian Cricket Association’s ‘Vision 2030’, will be redeveloped into a boutique 15,000-capacity stadium.
All state cricket will also remain at the WACA.
However, a spokesperson for the WACA told us that there is scope for nations to change their tier; that is, if a side like New Zealand or Sri Lanka start drawing massive crowds, their games against Australia in Perth can be shifted to the new stadium.
That means we could, in theory, see more and more cricket played at Perth Stadium at the expense of the WACA. However, given the low spectator numbers which were seen during last summer’s series against New Zealand and the West Indies, that’s pretty unlikely to happen.
One thing to note is the amount of cricket Australia plays against ‘top-tier’ nations compared to lower-tier ones.
As an indication, Australia will host 35 cricket matches between August 2017 and February 2019. Of those, just ten are against lower-tier nations; there will be two Tests and three ODIs against both Bangladesh (August 2017) and Sri Lanka (January/February 2019).
Using that as a guide, it means only 30-40 per cent of international matches in Australia will be eligible to be played at the WACA, which isn’t ideal for fans of the ground.
However, it should be stressed that, while it looks like there will be a lot less cricket at the ground, the WACA will still continue to host matches well into the foreseeable future.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
I think its going to be used for WAFL in the winter as well now.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Because no one wants to be at a 60,000 seat stadium with 10,000 people sitting scattered around.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
haha, comparing sitting at the MCG in summer to WACA. Ever been out in 37C day in perth. Its unbearable until around 4pm.
Benchwarmer
Guest
It's nice to have a vision, but the WACA has no chance of securing $200 million within 15 years to turn the ground into a boutique 15,000 capacity venue. They should keep working on securing the WAFL as a tenant so the ground has year round use. One day there might be enough demand to expand it to a 15,000-20,000 venue, but not in the next 15 years. As for international cricket. I can't see any of it staying at the WACA. The venue is just too expensive to maintain for 1/2 event days a year.
Brian
Guest
Perth is only 2.5 hours ahead of Mumbai. Once CA & BCCI realise this I think there will be the potential for a lot of cricket in Perth. With D/N games you are looking at a safe and traditional cricketing venue where India could play Pakistan. The only reason this hasn't happened so far is that the WACA would have suited Pakistan more then the financially more important India. If the new Perth stadium spins a bit the stadium owners should seriously start looking at hosting an India v Pakistan series. Even when Australia host India or England the TV times are much better for Perth then the East Coast.
BrainsTrust
Guest
Canberra government has big wads of cash and throw it at sporting teams to play there but Ballarat? Ballarat they are council and don't get the sort of Cash a state or territory will get. The reason Hobart is hosting is because they are paying big money for the test matches. Canberra are always willing to throw money, it doesn;t matter on the opposition, so you would probably have them out outbidding everyone on Bangladesh Zimbabwe just like they pay top doillar for GWS in the AFL.
BrainsTrust
Guest
The philosophy of Cricket Australia is test cricket is there for them to extract every dollar from. The reason they have run this line about the Gabba is they now get paid to stage tests in other areas. So raise prices you squeeze the orange so the less people come, then you threaten to take away the test. iF the GAbba is really an expensive stadium as Dean Jones wrote in an article he doesn;t explain how they play Sheffield Shield matches there but need 17 thousand a day to survive with a test match. Its a cry for cash from the state government and the same happened with Perth and the Waca. If the state government goves them a big wad of cash then they will reduce prices to make sure there are more people.
anon
Guest
I'm talking about ODI matches which finish at about 6:30pm at the WACA. The WACA might own it, but if its only sources of revenue are from Shield games played in front of a couple dozen people and the odd test match every few years against a minnow, it won't be long before it falls into disrepair. I read that the government will spend $200 million on reducing the WACA's capacity to 15k, so the WAFL can play there. The question is why? Surely the suburban grounds currently used in the WAFL suffice for a league that attracts only 1,000 people to its matches. Shield matches could be played on the school oval next door. All the international matches should be played at the brand spanking new stadium that was built specifically for football and cricket.
anon
Guest
The MCG gets 20k to ODIs. That's 20% of capacity. No-one suggests moving games to a smaller capacity ground.
MJ
Guest
To be truthful there's no guarantee or written clause that says Perth has to host a test each summer. With other smaller venues rapidly coming on line (forecast rain in Hobart won't help their cause) venues like Hobart, Ballarat and Canberra may well be the future of hosting test matches rather than looking at the big venues apart from the big event matches.
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
Nah, both clubs are investing a ton of money elsewhere at the moment.
GWSINGAPORE
Guest
No. A real Aussie solution is needed for the WACA. Let's build flats and high rise apartments on it.
Bakkies
Guest
I think the WAFL will use it in the Winter
Itchy
Guest
you didn't do too well at school did you Mike?
Martyn
Guest
The WACA has done it's time. The ground unlike other states is not used for other sports. Solely cricket. 1 test match of 5 days. 5 four day shield matches add in a few one day internationals and BBL games comes to just 31days of use. 31days from 365 is less than 10% of the year. Run a business for 10% of the year and see how long it lasts.
joe b
Guest
there will never be a day/night test in perth... even our (scorchers) T20 matches finish by 7.30pm (they start at the hottest part of the day - nice treat for the kiddies). The WACA owns the WACA Ground, it is their biggest asset, so can't see them getting rid of it.
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Hi Tom I have sat at the MCG numerous times throughout a blistering Aussie summer -demolished a ton of beers while supporting the Aussies . You sandgropers a fair weather supporters . Most of you can't handle a Melbourne winter because it's to cold - Siberia it ain't . As for the scorches , we are talking about test cricket , not Australian baseball.
jamesb
Guest
As we all know, test matches can go for as long as five days. The first couple of days, you still expect big crowds. But as the tests progresses to days 3, 4 and 5, crowds will decrease as they know the result of the test, unless if it's a close one. So in Perth's new stadium, you might see a crowd of 10,000 in a 60,000 seat stadium on days 4 and 5. That's of course if the test goes that far. So taking test cricket over to new venue could be a mixed bag. But let's see what happens. Huge amount of money has been spent over in Burswood. I wish a bit of that money was used to do up the WACA. Instead, the WACA looks neglected, and is getting criticized from all and sundry.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Pretty unnecessary and ill-founded attack on WA, chief. Friday was almost a sell out despite the majority of adult Western Australians being at work. The test was effectively over by Saturday, which was a 37 degree day I might add. With the limited amount of shaded spots available at the waca, if my friends and I weren't lucky enough to have members /shaded tickets we probably wouldnt have turned up either! On Sunday the test was already over, and not many people want to watch their side capitulate. If WA is so useless at supporting cricket, then why is effectively every scorchers game a sell out? As far as tests go, things will get better with a new stadium with decent facilities. Stop being miserable and look for positives. A third of the team is from WA, we deserve to be able to watch cricket like any other state.
Brian
Guest
Am not from Perth would either the Eagles or Dockers consider using the ground as a home base. Otherwise just consign it to the scrap heap and have Perth Stadium for all oval shaped sports with NIB for the rectangular ones.