Farewell to the WACA - Ashes, T20 and possibly India Tests to be moved

[Convict]

Good news for Pommy fans who want to possibly play in Perth.

The lure of a world class 60,000 seater stadium was too much. Especially considering how appalling the WACA's facilities are for spectators.

The WACA had done a lot of work trying to replicate the pitch on drop ins but who knows how it will work.

The WACA will still be used for shield matches and for most test matches. Maybe ODIs.

This is set to be announced shortly and Dennis Lillee has resigned from all positions he holds at the WACA in protest.

The 2017/18 Ashes series will probably be the last time the WACA hosts an Ashes test match

 

[Pantani]

Lillee resigning is pointless. There's only one way to stop this, and that's for the people of Perth to not buy a single ticket for any international matches staged outside of the WACA.

It remains to be seen whether they will care enough to take such action.

 

[Convict]

Lillee resigning is pointless. There's only one way to stop this, and that's for the people of Perth to not buy a single ticket for any international matches staged outside of the WACA.

It remains to be seen whether they will care enough to take such action.

Lillee is resigning because he doesn't want to be the WACA President who made such a call.

It's not to stop it from happening.

It's a "this will happen, the board agreed to it but I don't want it to happen under my watch so I'll resign so you guys can do it"

 

[Convict]

For a more interesting comparison

Martyn, Hussey, Langer or Katich?

Rank them

Katich averaged over 50 as an opener

 

[EliteCynical]

So does this mean no international cricket at WACA or no Big 3 cricket at WACA? Wonder why? It anyways doesn't have the pace and bounce of old.

 

[Convict]

So does this mean no international cricket at WACA or no Big 3 cricket at WACA? Wonder why? It anyways doesn't have the pace and bounce of old.

Non Ashes test matches (with the possible exception of India) and possibly ODIs will remain at the WACA

 

[EliteCynical]

Non Ashes test matches (with the possible exception of India) and possibly ODIs will remain at the WACA

Any reason why? A cynical me thinks that the request came from Eng/Ind so that they get easier wickets. A practical me thinks CA wants to milk other (bigger capacity) grounds considering Eng and Ind draw huge crowds. Plus the time difference would impact TV ratings back home. Just a thought! RIP Perth. India did win a good test there in 2008.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Are they at least trying to replicate the true nature of WACA pitch in the new stadium? Or will it be typical patta which is a common sight in Aus stadiums these days barring Gabba.

 

[Convict]

Any reason why? A cynical me thinks that the request came from Eng/Ind so that they get easier wickets. A practical me thinks CA wants to milk other (bigger capacity) grounds considering Eng and Ind draw huge crowds. Plus the time difference would impact TV ratings back home. Just a thought! RIP Perth. India did win a good test there in 2008.

It has nothing to do with Eng/Ind

The football stadium (AFL) in Perth isn't suited for cricket because it's too long and narrow
But that stadium is pretty old as well and a new 60,000 seater oval stadium is getting built literally a couple of hundred metres from the WACA.
Since AFL and cricket have similar demands for stadiums this stadium also meets all the requirements for hosting cricket matches.

So the reason they are thinking about it is because in 2018 they're going to have a new 60,000 seat world class stadium literally a few hundred metres away and right next to a major train station.

Are they at least trying to replicate the true nature of WACA pitch in the new stadium? Or will it be typical patta which is a common sight in Aus stadiums these days barring Gabba.

They are spending a lot of money on it but who knows how it will go.

 

[Bullet Drive]

AUS pitches were better when were full of bounce. Pitches for the recent India series were poor!(& India still lost)

 

[ChachaCricket]

They are spending a lot of money on it but who knows how it will go.

Will it be cricket only or other sports as well? They should be able to replicate the WACA pitch but if they're planning on drop in pitches, that's gonna suck. Australia won't be the same without the WACA bounce.

 

[Convict]

Will it be cricket only or other sports as well? They should be able to replicate the WACA pitch but if they're planning on drop in pitches, that's gonna suck. Australia won't be the same without the WACA bounce.

It's a football (AFL) stadium first.

 

[ChachaCricket]

it's a football (afl) stadium first.

Rip WACA.

 

[Convict]

Saffers to play in the Perth Stadium as well

 

[Robert]

Excellent news!

 

[Hulk]

very sad news for cricket australia. waca and gaba one of the best ground in the world. very sad to hear no more cricket will be played there

 

[ChachaCricket]

very sad news for cricket australia. waca and gaba one of the best ground in the world. very sad to hear no more cricket will be played there

Gabba is still there. Cricket will be played at the WACA just not against the big teams but that's probably gonna change in the future as well.

 

[Convict]

Gabba is still there. Cricket will be played at the WACA just not against the big teams but that's probably gonna change in the future as well.

Shield matches will still be played there.
And of course the SCG is not a drop in

They know they'll be run out of the state if they serve up an Adelaide/Melbourne style drop in.

 

[Bhaijaan]

We won a test match there in 2007. Great memories. Tendulkar's hundred there as a teenager was special ands is part of history.

 

[Random Aussie]

The WACA is a poorly maintained stadium with terrible facilities that is not up to modern standards. WA have been warned about it for years but cry poor while trumpeting how much money they made during the mining boom. No sympathy from me. People in WA will no doubt try to blame the evil Eastern staters for this but it's their own fault.

Sad to see the WACA go but it is romanticised as the fast bowling Mecca when these days it's a garbage stadium with a flat bouncy pitch,

 

[Convict]

The WACA is a poorly maintained stadium with terrible facilities that is not up to modern standards. WA have been warned about it for years but cry poor while trumpeting how much money they made during the mining boom. No sympathy from me. People in WA will no doubt try to blame the evil Eastern staters for this but it's their own fault.

Sad to see the WACA go but it is romanticised as the fast bowling Mecca when these days it's a garbage stadium with a flat bouncy pitch,

What has the WACA got to do with the mining boom?

 

[Aman]

Hasn't the WACA turned into another Australian road anyway?

 

[Markhor]

Last ever Test at the WACA will be an Ashes affair which is fitting given how much grief its given England over the years.

As a Pakistan fan I can only rejoice like many batsmen of a certain era - thank God. I don't recall a single positive memory playing there in a Test match, only our batsmen getting brutally exposed by the pace and bounce.

The 2004 Test was particularly galling - 179 and 72 all out with McGrath getting 8-24. We lost by 491 runs.

However, recently the pitch has lost the pace and bounce it was renowned for with a batsman's paradise prepared for the 2015 New Zealand Test that inevitably led to a draw. They may spice it up for the Poms to seal the Ashes though.

 

[EliteCynical]

Ross Taylor scoring 290 was the last straw for me. Lost all my faith with Aussie tracks. Hope the new stadium is lively!
[MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION] - Does the freemantle doctor flow through the new stadium or that is in a different city altogether?

 

[Convict]

Ross Taylor scoring 290 was the last straw for me. Lost all my faith with Aussie tracks. Hope the new stadium is lively!
[MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION] - Does the freemantle doctor flow through the new stadium or that is in a different city altogether?

Well Burswood still gets the sea breeze but I'd imagine that the stands would block it.

 

[Varun]

Had a look at the new "Optus Stadium". It looks like any other Australian Colosseum-like stadium that will probably have a drop in pitch to boot.

Poor decision to remove a ground with an actual identity from the roster.

 

[aloo paratha]

Wait so why is the WACA being closed?

 

[kingusama92]

Wait so why is the WACA being closed?

Perth has a new $2 Billion stadium ready to go. 55,000 capacity for cricket.

 

[aloo paratha]

Perth has a new $2 Billion stadium ready to go. 55,000 capacity for cricket.

Will the WACA be demolished?

 

[Pakalulu]

Long live all the memories of ferocity in the wicket. Windies pacers of olden times have loved it.

 

[kingusama92]

Will the WACA be demolished?

Don't think so.

Current plans are to play lower-level ODI/T20 fixtures at the WACA (including matches vs. PAK). They might slowly transition the stadium into a venue for domestic cricket (just a guess).

 

[Chip32]

For those whom haven’t seen the newly constructed Optus Stadium:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UjcSi1Qdol8

 

[Gilly]

Lighting at stadium.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoKSZ9SduXY

 

[Cricfan4eva]

They are spending a lot of money on it but who knows how it will go.

Well good signs.

 

[Convict]

For those whom haven’t seen the newly constructed Optus Stadium:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UjcSi1Qdol8

I don't believe it will be called the Optus Stadium for cricket.

 

[Aman]

Looks fantastic, but how did a hole like Perth get the funding for such a stadium? [MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION]

 

[Convict]

Looks fantastic, but how did a hole like Perth get the funding for such a stadium? [MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_New_Zealand
GDP of New Zealand = 186 billion

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Western_Australia
GDP of WA = 193 billion (half the population of NZ)

 

[Hadephobia]

Even the SCG and the surrounding grounds are being upgraded at a cost of $2 billion Australia is a sporting nation and the fans have always wanted world class stadiums.

 

[Convict]

Even the SCG and the surrounding grounds are being upgraded at a cost of $2 billion Australia is a sporting nation and the fans have always wanted world class stadiums.

The SCG isn't getting upgraded. That's for other stadiums.

 

[Hadephobia]

The SCG isn't getting upgraded. That's for other stadiums.

Yeah sorry but we are spending a lot of cash no wonder we are so good at any sports we put our mind to.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

[MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION] - which Australia grounds use drop in pitches and which ones use traditional ones?

 

[Convict]

[MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION] - which Australia grounds use drop in pitches and which ones use traditional ones?

MCG, Adelaide and the new Perth stadium. Rest of the regular test grounds use traditional as does Canberra.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

It's going to be a drop in? The new wicket?

 

[Convict]

It's going to be a drop in? The new wicket?

Yes its built for football

 

[Aman]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_New_Zealand
GDP of New Zealand = 186 billion

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Western_Australia
GDP of WA = 193 billion (half the population of NZ)

So a wealthy hole