According to ESPNCricinfo, the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) ground in Perth will stop hosting international matches involving South Africa, England and India from 2018-19.
According to ESPNCricinfo, the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) ground in Perth will stop hosting international matches involving South Africa, England and India from 2018-19.
The WACA ground will be used for matches which attract smaller crowds, involving other nations and domestic tournaments like the Sheffield Shield.
However, Big Bash matches along with international games for the aforesaid teams will shift to the Perth Stadium at Burswood, which is expected to be completed by early 2018. The new stadium will feature drop-in pitches.
The WACA Ground will become a boutique stadium with a capacity of 10,000 to 15,000, while the Perth Stadium will hold 55,000 to 60,000 spectators. Four drop-in pitches will be used at the new Perth Stadium.
The report mentions that this implies that only one more Ashes series - the 2017-18 Ashes, will see the Perth Test being played at the WACA.
The WACA was considered the fastest wicket in the world until the 2000s, and still remains a fast bowler's haven.
According to reports, former Australian pacer Dennis Lillee quit the post of WACA president two days ago, because he wanted all international cricket to remain at the WACA.
One of the reasons offered for shifting international matches to another ground is that the WACA can host only cricket matches, which makes it financially unviable. Moreover, it is in desperate need of renovation.
This was one of the reasons it was not chosen to host a Test match last summer when only four Tests were played against India. The ESPNCricinfo report says that the WACA is hopeful of receiving state funding for an upgrade given its agreement to become a complementary venue to the Perth Stadium, rather than a competitor.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland told ESPNCricinfo that the new structure for cricket in Western Australia had the support of CA.
"The strategy for Australian cricket is all about putting fans first and that's exactly what this move will do," Sutherland said. "It will provide cricket with world-class facilities for patrons and players and further strengthen our position as Australia's favourite sport," he said.
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