Sell the WACA, go to Burswood
Former Australian captain Kim Hughes has urged the WA Cricket Association to sell the WACA Ground and play all international matches at the new Burswood stadium.
Hughes fears Cricket Australia's decision to not have a Test in Perth in 2014-15 could be repeated unless a world-class venue is found to host cricket.
India will play Tests in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in 2014-15. The short tour is because of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand that summer.
"This decision is a game-changer for the WACA," Hughes said. "Just like the annual Lilac Hill match, which was cancelled and has never returned, once the Perth Test is gone there is no guarantee one will be played every year.
"The WACA has to seriously look at selling up and moving to Burswood. The facilities at the WACA, like Subiaco Oval, are rubbish and this is a decision that might force both football and cricket together for the benefit of both sports."
Three portions of the WACA Ground subject to redevelopment by joint venture partner Ascot Capital were valued at $48 million in 2010.
There is no valuation for the entire ground, the home of WA cricket since a 999-year lease was gifted to the WACA in 1889.
Hughes said he feared for the proposed redevelopment and said the fact that WACA chairman-elect George Jones recently walked away from the association indicated it was increasingly likely to fail.
He said the WACA could fund its game development responsibilities with the interest from the proceeds of a ground sale
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said the WACA's removal from the Test roster would last only one year because at least five matches were scheduled every season this decade.
But he made it clear that ground redevelopments in the other capitals made them more attractive venues.
"The redevelopment at Adelaide Oval is just about completed and that will provide a magnificent fan experience while Brisbane is bigger and relatively modern compared to the WACA," he said.
"We see all around the county venues being developed and various parties putting in significant investments to improve facilities. It is happening in Adelaide, Hobart and the SCG right now and the MCG and the Gabba in recent times.
"They have all been developed to a standard that keeps pace with expectations of sports fans around the world."
