WACA may still host Ashes 2017-18 Test

The Ashes 2017-18 Test slated to be played at Perth can still be organised at the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) ground, as the venue is yet to be finalised with Cricket Australia (CA) being hopeful of the new stadium — with a seating capacity of 60,000 — expected to be ready in time. But if it does not, then the WACA will hold the Ashes 2017-18 Test slated from December 14-18, 2017. The new stadium is located in Burswood, one kilometre away from the Swan River from the WACA Ground. However, if the stadium is not ready for the Test, then it is expected to be prepared to host the Australia–England One-Day International (ODI) on January 18.

According to cricket.com.au, the Weekend West suggested that the fifth and final ODI between the arch rivals is a more likely contest to be played at the new Perth Stadium. A spokesperson from CA said, “We are working closely with the WA Government and Perth Stadium to fully understand the stadium’s readiness and ability to host an Ashes Test as the first major sporting event in December this year, which has always been cricket’s preference. We expect to reach a decision on this in the next month or so.

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“Should the stadium be unable to host the Test in time, we will use the WACA Ground to host the Ashes Test, but our preference is to host this Ashes Test at Perth Stadium,” the spokesperson added.

The tickets for the Australian summer will be available to be purchased for the members of the Australian Cricket Family as well as the general public, but the tickets for the matches slated at Perth will be made available only after the situation is confirmed.

There are talks about Australia preparing a four-pronged pace attack for the Ashes series. It may happen for at least the WACA Test. “It’s really exciting … for the rest of the summer if we can stay fit and keep playing cricket. If there’s a stage when we can unleash the four of us in the same game (in the Champions Trophy in June) and then looking forward to the Ashes, if the same can happen there with four steaming quicks and Nathan Lyon being the spinner, it’d be really exciting,” he said.