Lord Mayor of Perth Basil Zempilas concedes WA Ashes Test is ‘almost impossible’

Television presenter Basil Zempilas has conceded it will be “almost impossible” for Western Australia to host an Ashes Test.

Basil Zempilas and Steve Smith.

Lord Mayor of Perth and television presenter Basil Zempilas has conceded it will be “almost impossible” for Western Australia to host an Ashes Test match this summer.

Earlier this week, West Australian Premier Mark McGowan reiterated that all cricketers and staff would have to undergo 14 days of strict quarantine conditions after arriving in Perth for the fifth Test, which is scheduled to commence on January 14.

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McGowan previously claimed he was confident the final Test would go ahead at Optus Stadium, but the chances of Perth having the marquee fixture are dwindling following his latest declaration.

According to News Corp, the MCG stands as the slight favourite to host the fifth Test — potentially as a day-night fixture — while Sydney, Hobart and Canberra are also candidates.

WA Premier Mark McGowan speaks to media at Dumas House. Photo by Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

Speaking to former Adelaide footballer Stephen Rowe on FIVEaa, Zempilas expressed his frustration that Perth may miss out on hosting a Test match for a second consecutive summer.

“It’s disappointing for everybody that we’re, by the looks of things, not going to have the fifth Ashes Test,” he said.

“It has always been difficult for (McGowan) … there was a potential bending of the rules for the cricket Test match, and whenever that’s happened, it has not tested as well for the Premier as the hard and fast border closure has.

“With the variant coming into play now, that has meant a guaranteed 14-day quarantine for all of them; broadcast staff, cricket staff.

“That almost makes it impossible (for the Test to go head in Perth) … cricket fans are the losers in all of this, and WA cricket fans will miss out, it looks like, on an Ashes Test.

“It’s tough, but it’s the way it has been.”

Rowe joked that McGowan and the West Australian Government seemed more willing to host the AFL grand final than an Ashes Test.

“You need to step up to him,” Rowe said. “You’re the mayor! C’mon Baz, have a crack!”

But Zempilas explained that the state’s slow vaccination rate and the Covid-19 Omicron variant had complicated matters. He also pointed out that McGowan copped heavy backlash last month after reports emerged that the cricketers would be granted relaxed biosecurity restrictions ahead of the fifth Test.

“We loved having the football,” Zempilas said.

“What has changed it we are moving towards opening up … we have been slower than every other state to get our double vaccination rate and single vaccination rate up to the level that everyone is chasing.

“The Premier’s stance has been less popular over the last month or so … but when it did appear as though the rules were going to be adjusted for the cricketers, he didn’t get the reaction he was hoping for.”

Bad luck.
I know how hard @WACA_Cricket has been working with the @WAGovernment to make this happen.
Shame. https://t.co/XragFX0bON

— Basil Zempilas (@BasilZempilas) November 30, 2021

On Wednesday, cricket journalist Peter Lalor suggested Australia’s players would not be willing to go into quarantine again this summer, particularly those who competed at the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

“The players were rewarded for their World Cup victory with two weeks quarantine in Queensland, which didn’t sit very well with them,” he told SEN Mornings.

“They were saying if they had come back to New South Wales or Victoria, they’d be free people. They’ve just emerged yesterday.

“I’ve heard them say, ‘Not one more hour of quarantine. We’re just not doing it this summer’.

“There’s a lot of things piling up and the broadcasters won’t want to go there either. Even if Cricket Australia hasn’t made their mind up it’s going to be made up for them.”

Although Hobart is arguably the most deserving candidate — Blundstone Arena has not hosted a Test match in more than five years — CA’s desire for revenue in the age of Covid-19 could heavily influence the final decision.

According to The Age, there may be a $17 million gap in the revenue able to be generated depending on the venue chosen for the final Test. The report suggests the MCG could generate up to $22 million for an Ashes Test, while a Hobart match would raise approximately $5 million.

The first Test between Australia and England will get underway at the Gabba on Wednesday.

Originally published as Lord Mayor of Perth Basil Zempilas concedes WA Ashes Test is ‘almost impossible’