This, and the fact that it didn't get to host a test this season gave me the impression its future is uncertain.Why is the WACA's future up in the air?
Are there doubts about its future as an international venue for cricket?
it's old
Just had a look, and the stadium only got three games for the World Cup. Two are (probably) nothing games - India vs UAE and Australia vs Afghanistan. The other game is India vs WI, and they didn't get any of the knockout games, so it definitely does look like the WACA has been left out in the cold a bit.This, and the fact that it didn't get to host a test this season gave me the impression its future is uncertain.
WACA future under microscope | cricket.com.au
Perhaps it happened simply because this is a "shortened season", so I could be off the mark. I suppose the WACA could be reinstated for the next couple of years, but may be jettisoned when the new stadium comes up in 2018. Any Aussies in the know?
Yeah, South Africa always does well there.IIRC the WACA has poor facilities as compared to the other grounds and WACA are also not attempting to renovate the ground or something like that. Really a pity since the WACA pitch is one of the most unique venues for test cricket and encourages a lively, fast-paced game.
NZ themselves haven't done too badly. 1-2 win-loss record plus three draws. Two of those draws were pretty legendary - 1989 (when Greatbatch apparently batted on and on for 146 to deny the Aussies a certain victory), and that test in 2001 (Vincent's debut, 4 centurions in NZ's first innings, and a couple of dodgy umpiring decisions short of an upset victory).EDIT: Just checked Cricinfo, and South Africa has only played three Tests there, the first of which was drawn in 2005.
How many countries have an unbeaten Test record on any Australian ground?
Blocky is banned for a year (right?) so nah.the tour thread has potential to be the worst in cricketweb history.
Oh and I think the WACA is just not being considered as a test venue. It's got quite a lot of ODI games this summer, 2 against SA, 2 in this tri-series and 3 in the WC. So not too bad.
So then it comes down to whether CA see it as a 4, 5 or maybe even 6 test summer. Hmmm.The CA logic has generally been 'last in, first out' for Test venues. 5 Test summer sees Hobart losing it's gig, 4 Test summer gets rid of Perth too.
Usually CA runs with a 3-2, 4-2 or 5-0 split, and they're only really running the 4 Tests this year because of the World Cup (ODI series vs. RSA ran into when the 'Gabba Test usually starts). They'll have to go a minimum of 5 next year, with New Zealand and the West Indies both touring.So then it comes down to whether CA see it as a 4, 5 or maybe even 6 test summer. Hmmm.
Will be interested to see what they do with the ODI program too, given that NZ haven't been invited for any 50-over cricket since the 2009 Chappell Hadlee series.
hey look bud i dont know who you think you are but posting links to informative articles about australian cricket is brockleys gig around here
I am very bullish about this series; it has the potential to be a ripperI'm still quietly holding on to about 0.00001% of hope that the powers at be at NZC somehow convince Cricket Australia to allow us to steal that damn Boxing day test off the Windies.
I mean c'mon, we'd not only provide as good if not a better challenge on the park, but I wouldn't have thought the Windies would create that much more in TV hosting rights than us would they? And wouldn't the boxing day crowds at the 'G' be even better with the prospect of a trans tasman match-up?
I say this mainly with tongue in cheek of course only because I'm so jealous of the Windies getting that Melbourne test. We haven't had a boxing day test there since that absolute epic draw in 1987, and this will be about the best side we're likely to send since then.
Nah, NZC has gone on the record as saying they're really keen to play in the MCG boxing day test:I am very bullish about this series; it has the potential to be a ripper
Anyway, it's NZ not Australia who don't want MCG Boxing Day Test - they, like South Africa, now want to establish their own Boxing Day tradition and refuse to tour here over the Christmas period.
Though the FTP is all but sorted, [NZC CEO David White] still hoped New Zealand could appear in its first Melbourne Boxing Day test since 1987.
"I can't divulge what's in the Future Tours Programme but the harsh reality is the teams [Australia] want for Boxing Day are the most attractive teams and the most competitive teams. The side's on-field performances are making us more attractive and we'll absolutely be pushing for it."