WACA Test match banished for 2014-15 12 September 2013
Cricket Australia have stripped the WACA Ground of hosting a Test match during the 2014-15 season.
The news comes less than two months after the iconic stadium was granted only three fixtures for the 2015 Cricket World Cup – two of which included qualifier nations – and no finals.
The 2014-15 summer will only feature four Tests, down from the usual five or six, all against India due to Australia and New Zealand hosting the World Cup which kicks off on February 14, 2015.
The accommodation of a triangular one-day series between England, India and Australia was also a contributing factor to the reduction of Test matches for that season.
WACA chief executive Christina Matthews described the decision by Cricket Australia to deprive Perth of a Test in two summers' time as devastating.
"The WACA is extremely disappointed in this decision," she said.
"The fans in WA have consistently supported Test cricket at the WACA and we are devastated that thousands of loyal cricket fans will not be able to see the Test match live against India.
"The WACA has been undergoing a planning process to look at increasing the size of the ground and improving patron facilities and unfortunately this takes time and could not be done in time for the 2014-15 season."
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said it was unfortunate that the WACA was overlooked but its low capacity was a key reason to the decision.
"Due to the unique nature of the schedule next season, with a World Cup year, there was going to be a couple of states disappointed about our Test match allocation," Sutherland said.
"This was certainly one of the more difficult programming issues that Cricket Australia has faced and all the pros and cons of each option were weighed up very carefully before making our decision.
"It is still a big summer and there is plenty of cricket to go around but in regard to only having four Tests, this is a one-off situation that we don't see happening in the foreseeable future.
"Though a traditional Test match venue with a proud history, the WACA ground has the smallest capacity of the five mainland Test venues and has historically attracted lower attendances.
"The WACA has been working hard to improve the facilities for its fans but it still requires significant improvements."
The news comes less than two months after the iconic stadium was granted only three fixtures for the 2015 Cricket World Cup – two of which included qualifier nations – and no finals.
The 2014-15 summer will only feature four Tests, down from the usual five or six, all against India due to Australia and New Zealand hosting the World Cup which kicks off on February 14, 2015.
The accommodation of a triangular one-day series between England, India and Australia was also a contributing factor to the reduction of Test matches for that season.
WACA chief executive Christina Matthews described the decision by Cricket Australia to deprive Perth of a Test in two summers' time as devastating.
"The WACA is extremely disappointed in this decision," she said.
"The fans in WA have consistently supported Test cricket at the WACA and we are devastated that thousands of loyal cricket fans will not be able to see the Test match live against India.
"The WACA has been undergoing a planning process to look at increasing the size of the ground and improving patron facilities and unfortunately this takes time and could not be done in time for the 2014-15 season."
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said it was unfortunate that the WACA was overlooked but its low capacity was a key reason to the decision.
"Due to the unique nature of the schedule next season, with a World Cup year, there was going to be a couple of states disappointed about our Test match allocation," Sutherland said.
"This was certainly one of the more difficult programming issues that Cricket Australia has faced and all the pros and cons of each option were weighed up very carefully before making our decision.
"It is still a big summer and there is plenty of cricket to go around but in regard to only having four Tests, this is a one-off situation that we don't see happening in the foreseeable future.
"Though a traditional Test match venue with a proud history, the WACA ground has the smallest capacity of the five mainland Test venues and has historically attracted lower attendances.
"The WACA has been working hard to improve the facilities for its fans but it still requires significant improvements."
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