Big Three and SA to play at new Perth venue

Cricket365
September 9, 2015

Come 2018 and beyond, when India, England, and South Africa go to Perth to face Australia, they will play at the newly-built Perth Stadium in Burswood, instead of at the historic WACA ground.

The plan was announced this week, with the WACA set to made into a 'boutique ground', so smaller and with a drop in pitch, to accommodate AFL football. The venue will still host cricket, but not the above mentioned sides.

Instead, the Big Three and the Proteas will play at the Perth Stadium, which will cost 200 million Australian dollars to build over the next three years. It will have a seating capacity of 60, 000, while the WACA's seating will be max 15,000.

WA chairman Sam Gannon said on the CA website of the venue's change of function, given it had been losing status as a Test venue: "To do nothing was not an option.

"We now have the opportunity to showcase the best of world and domestic cricket at two modern stadiums, providing players and spectators with facilities expected for modern sport."

The WACA will continue to host Sheffield Shield Cricket for Western Australia, while Big Bash League matches will be played at the new venue. TEams like Sri Lanka and Pakistan will play at the WACA as well.

CA chief James Sutherland added: "The strategy for Australian cricket is all about putting fans first and that’s exactly what this move will do.

"It will provide cricket with world-class facilities for patrons and players and further strengthen our position as Australia’s favourite sport.

"Having two world-class cricket grounds will be a tremendous boost for Australian and Western Australian cricket."