Cricket giants gear up for Perth matches

The world’s two top ranked one-day cricket teams, Australia and India, are set to head to Perth’s WACA Ground for World Cup games against minnows Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates in the coming week.

Australia is in third place, of seven, in pool A, after suffering an abandoned match against Bangladesh in Brisbane last week, while India leads its pool with two wins and no losses.

Australia will play Afghanistan on Wednesday, in a match the home team is widely expected to win.

The West Indies will also be in Perth and will feature in an event at the Perth Cultural Centre with Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Kim Hames on Sunday, before battling India next Friday.

“The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 is the pinnacle event in international cricket and I’m excited that the two top-ranked one-day international sides, Australia and India, will be playing in Western Australia,” Dr Hames said.

“I also look forward to officially welcoming cricketing legends, the West Indies, to WA at Sunday’s free public event.”

Matches will be telecast in Northbridge Piazza.

The previous time a world cup cricket match was held in Perth was in March 1992, with Pakistan beating Sri Lanka by four wickets and going on to win the tournament.

The state government has recently invested $1.8 million on a redevelopment of the WACA’s media centre, Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said.

“Over the last few years, the state government has invested in significant sporting and entertainment infrastructure including nib Stadium, Perth Arena and the new Perth Stadium,” Ms Davies said.

“Western Australia as a whole will benefit from these facilities, as world cup commentators will relay not just the performances on the pitch, but how Perth and Western Australia are going through a once-in-a-lifetime revitalisation.

 “I hope our world cup heroes inspire a new generation of cricketers in WA as well as encouraging more people to become invaluable officials and volunteers.”