Cricket Australia has confirmed the fifth Vodafone Ashes 2021/22 Test won’t be staged in Perth as originally scheduled due to Western Australia’s stringent COVID-19 travel restrictions, but a decision on where the potential series decider will be played is yet to be finalized.
Tasmania Premier Peter Gutwein has been a vocal proponent to have the match switched to Hobart after Blundstone Arena was denied the opportunity to host the now-postponed Test between Afghanistan and Australia. Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney have also been touted as possible venues for the fixture after it became apparent Perth’s chances were dimming.
Cricket Australia Confirms Perth won’t host an Ashes Test this summer
The final match of Ashes was due to be played from January 14-18 at Perth’s Optus Stadium, the first time the newly developed 60,000-seat venue would have hosted an Ashes encounter. However, following the emergence of the Covid-19 virus’ new Omicron variant, Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan reaffirmed the state’s hardline stance on quarantine rules on arrivals from New South Wales.
Under those protocols, players, their families, as well as match and broadcast staff travelling to Perth after completion of the fourth Test in Sydney (January 5-9) would be required to complete 14 days quarantine upon arrival in Western Australia. The fourth Test is scheduled to finish in the New South Wales capital of Sydney on January 9, leaving insufficient time for the players to complete their period of isolation.
“It’s up to them whether they want to adhere to those rules or not,” Mark McGowan said.
The stance led Western Australia Cricket Association chief executive Christina Matthews to concede that Perth hosting the proposed Test had reduced from around 97 per cent to 50-50, with Cricket Australia confirming today those odds had now reduced to zero.
“While absolutely every effort was made to ensure the final Test match of the series could be staged in Perth, border controls, quarantine requirements and the complexities of staging a five-Test series in a tight schedule have meant it is unfortunately not possible to align the respective priorities of the WA Government, Cricket Australia and WA Cricket,” Cricket Australia said.
“These complexities also mean that any suggestion of changing the order of the venues would not be feasible. Discussions about a replacement venue for the fifth Test match are underway.”
Cricket Australia’s confirmation the order of the Tests would not change comes after WA Sport and Recreation Minister Tony Buti aired an audacious proposal for the second Vodafone Test – a day-night fixture to be played at Adelaide Oval from December 16-20 – to be shifted to Perth, with Adelaide hosting the series finale in January.
Under WA’s current COVID-19 border requirements, travellers arriving from Brisbane are not required to go under stringent quarantine periods.
“If cricket isn’t able to meet our border rules for (the) fifth Test in Perth, then they should move the second Test to Perth instead,” Buti said.
“It’s a no-brainer. As long as Queensland stays COVID-free, then the teams can fly in (from Brisbane) ahead of the pink-ball day-night Test. The simple solution would be to bring that Test here while South Australia manages its COVID outbreak. Adelaide can then host the fifth Test originally scheduled for Perth.”
Cricket Australia said attempts to negotiate conditions for the Jan. 14-18 match at Perth Stadium that would suit all parties had proved impossible and that discussions had begun over a replacement venue.
Hobart Which Was Scheduled To Host A One-Off Test Against Afghanistan May Host The 5th Ashes Test
Hobart, which was scheduled to host a Test against Afghanistan in November before it was postponed in the wake of the Taliban takeover of the country, is favourite to take over hosting rights for the fifth Test. Officials in Sydney and Melbourne have also indicated they would be prepared to host a second Test in the series.
The suggestion to swap the venues drew a quick and curt response from the South Australian Cricket Association who confirmed Adelaide Oval will host the second Test as planned, and noted there had been no formal discussion of it being staged elsewhere.
“The Second Ashes Test will proceed at Adelaide Oval in ten days’ time,” SACA acting chief executive Jodie Newton said, adding “There has been no suggestion that a schedule change for the Adelaide Test will be considered.”
The latest announcement by Cricket Australia means Perth will not host a men’s international for the second consecutive summer after the pandemic and border restrictions robbed the city of last year’s proposed historic first Test between Australia and Afghanistan. Despite that, Cricket Australia and the WACA stressed they remain “committed to continuing bringing elite cricket to West Australia.
The Women’s Big Bash League final was held at Optus Stadium last month with more than 15,000 fans seeing the Perth Scorchers take out the title in a record crowd for a standalone match. The men’s Scorchers are due to host Brisbane Heat in their KFC BBL opener on Wednesday and then Hobart Hurricanes on December 20, with both matches to be played under strict quarantine conditions.
The Scorchers’ December 11 home game originally meant to be played at Optus Stadium against Adelaide Strikers has been moved to the Sydney Showgrounds due to border issues.
“We are extremely disappointed for our members, fans, commercial partners and the wider WA cricket community as well as all our staff and players who have been looking forward to and planning for the first-ever Ashes to be played at Perth Stadium,” the WACA said in a statement.
“This decision will not waiver our efforts to bring live cricket to Perth this summer as we continue to work closely with Cricket Australia and the WA Government. With world-class facilities and the opportunity for cricket fans to attend matches, we maintain that WA is well-positioned to host elite cricket, including Big Bash League matches.”
Test legend former spin wizard Shane Warne suggested the Melbourne Cricket Ground host two matches, adding the fifth Test on top of the Boxing Day fixture a fortnight earlier. The other obvious option on the table would be the nation’s capital, Canberra, where Manuka Oval has been snubbed for any international cricket this summer.