Perth is prepared for a sizzling summer of cricket, with the wicket installed at Perth Stadium ahead of the upcoming NRMA Insurance West Test and KFC BBL|13 season.
Perth Stadium set for summer of cricket
The World Cup and ICC World Test Champion Australians will take on Pakistan from December 14-18 at Perth Stadium, showcasing Western Australia to the world.
Australia and Perth Scorchers all-rounder Mitch Marsh said he’s excited to play his first Test match at Perth Stadium.
“Obviously if I’m selected I’m looking forward to that, and being out here in front of our home fans,” Marsh said.
“Just look at this place, it’s a great place to play.”
The West test will be followed by five Perth Scorchers BBL|13 home matches, with the reigning titleholders to play their first home match on December 20.
The drop-in wicket has been curated at the stadium since February, tended to daily by WA Cricket curators in the nursery located next to the outdoor practice wickets on the northern side of the stadium.
The drop-in wicket contains the same local clay and grass species as the pitches at the WACA Ground and is closely monitored during its growth to replicate the Ground’s fast and bouncy nature.
The wicket square consists of five drop-in pitches, with each one weighing around 25 tonnes and the entire installation process taking more than two days.
“I often say this is the best wicket in the world and I really mean that,” Marsh said.
“The wickets have matured over the past couple of years, it brings both batters and bowlers into the game and that’s the way you want to play.”
Last week, the drop-in wicket was moved by a 30-meter-long, 40-tonne cricket wicket transporter onto the stadium playing surface. The machine is the only one of its kind in Western Australia.
For Australia’s Test match against Pakistan, fans are called upon to fill the West Test Hill, an exciting new in-stadium experience for fans to be built across four bays within Perth Stadium and inspired by cricket’s rich history at the WACA Ground. Find out more about the Hill here.
Fans will also enjoy five spectacular ‘themed’ home matches during BBL|13, with further announcements to be made shortly.
Tickets for the NRMA Insurance West Test can be purchased here and Scorchers’ BBL|13 tickets here, with the matches to be broadcast live on Foxtel, Seven Network and Kayo.