WACA future doesn’t involve big games

NO ONE is prepared to say officially this was the last Test at the WACA Ground, but cricket won’t be rushing back.

Western Australia chief executive Christina Matthews said the only Test cricket her association would be pursuing would be staged at the new Perth Stadium.

All marquee Tests against England, South Africa and India will be held there.

There is an outside chance the WACA Ground could host Tests against lower-drawing nations, but Cricket Australia would more likely schedule those clashes in other states and territories.

Matthews said WA cricket wouldn’t be motivated by sentiment or tradition when bidding for Tests.

Perth Stadium is the only priority for international games, meaning it could be curtains for the WACA Ground. “It will come down to Cricket

Australia’s scheduling,” Matthews said. “With a fantastic stadium over the road, I’m sure Cricket Australia will be wanting to play as big a game there as they can, and the main Test nations.

“So it does come down to what’s scheduled here.

“At this stage we’ll be working on what’s best for cricket fans in WA, not what’s best for the (WACA) ground.

“We’ve got great plans for the ground that are outside Test cricket and international cricket, so we’re quite happy with the future of the ground. We’ve got to be able to say hand on heart that we want the best cricket at the best ground for the fans and the players.”

Cricket Australia said the door wasn’t closed on the WACA hosting matches.

“For international cricket in Perth, any content that has a crowd attendance forecast of under 15,000 per match day, will be hosted at the WACA Ground,” a CA spokesman said.

“Anything exceeding this will be at Perth Stadium.”