WACA Ground to host opening Test

Perth will host the opening Commonwealth Bank Test in November, with Australia to take on South Africa at the WACA Ground - the first time Perth has had the opening Test of the summer since it hosted Zimbabwe in 2003.

Western Australia is home to about a quarter of Australia’s South African population, while the time difference between WA and South Africa is expected to benefit overseas viewers.

“We look forward to welcoming both Australia and South Africa for the first Test,” Waca chief executive Christina Matthews said.

“WA cricket is currently undergoing an exciting and widespread transformation, particularly in relation to how it works with the state government and the developing Perth Stadium.

“The decision to play the opening Test in WA is a sign of (the state’s) growing importance in the staging of international cricket.”

Australia will play South Africa from November 3-7.

The Waca will also host the Third Victoria Bitter One Day International against Pakistan in January, as well as holding domestic cricket throughout the 2016-17 season including the Sheffield Shield matches, Women’s National Cricket League matches, and Perth Scorchers matches in the Big Bash League.