‘Get stuffed WA’: Shameless move proves state has officially lost the plot

Aussie cricket fans couldn’t believe their ears when they heard of WA’s bold bid to poach an Ashes Test despite its border restrictions.

Cricket Australia has stripped Perth of the fifth Ashes Test over complications arising from Western Australia’s Covid border restrictions.

A replacement venue has not yet been confirmed, but Hobart’s Bellerive Oval, Canberra’s Manuka Oval and the MCG have all been floated as options.

“While absolutely every effort was made to ensure the final Test match of the series could be staged in Perth, border controls, quarantine requirements and the complexities of staging a five-Test series in a tight schedule have meant it is unfortunately not possible to align the respective priorities of the WA Government, CA and WA Cricket,” Cricket Australia said.

“These complexities also mean that any suggestion of changing the order of the venues would not be feasible.”

The CEO of the Western Australian Cricket Association, Christina Matthews, said the decision was “very difficult to accept”.

You can read more about the decision and the reaction to it in this story.

Earlier, cricket fans laughed off suggestions from Western Australia that it should host the second Ashes Test in a swap with Adelaide - the idea alluded to by Cricket Australia when it mentioned “changing the order of the venues” in the statement mentioned above.

WA Premier Mark McGowan crushed any hope Perth had of hosting the fifth Test in January when he said recently all players, staff and broadcast personnel would need to quarantine for 14 days after flying in from Sydney, where the fourth Test is being played.

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The final Test of the five-match series was originally scheduled to begin at Optus Stadium on January 14 — just nine days after the SCG Test starts on January 5 — but widespread reports suggested Cricket Australia would soon announce an alternative venue.

Those reports were true.

The West Australian reported the WA government was desperate to avoid a second straight summer without a Test match and was considering trying to poach the second Ashes Test from Adelaide, scheduled to get underway on December 16.

“If cricket isn’t able to meet our border rules for the fifth Test in Perth, then they should move the second Test to Perth instead,” Perth Sport and Recreation Minister Tony Buti told The West Australian.

“It’s a no-brainer. As long as Queensland stays Covid-free then the teams can fly in ahead of the pink ball day-night Test, which is due to start on December 16.

“The simple solution would be to bring that Test here while South Australia manages its Covid outbreak. Adelaide can then host the fifth Test originally scheduled for Perth.

“They (the teams) could fly straight into Perth after the Brisbane Test. Then no one will need to worry about quarantine and Covid protocols.”

Mark McGowan has remained firm on keeping the WA border closed. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith

South Australia responds as cricket fans mock WA

McGowan’s approval ratings soared in WA as he oversaw the strictest border closure in the country, but the Premier has been criticised by those in other states for keeping Australian citizens locked out of the west.

The South Australian Cricket Association responded to speculation on Monday, saying in a statement it “confirms that the second Vodafone Ashes Test will proceed as planned at the Adelaide Oval, beginning on December 16”.

“SACA continues to work closely with Cricket Australia and is committed to delivering the iconic Adelaide day-night Test match celebrating the SACA’s 150th year”, the statement added.

Cricket fans can’t believe Perth would make such a brazen bid to steal the second Ashes Test from Adelaide.

Cricket writer Daniel Brettig tweeted: “Yeah we can’t host a Test match in mid-January but we’ll try steal the one locked into Adelaide Oval for mid-December and complain when we inevitably don’t get it. Galaxy brain stuff from the WA government #Ashes.”

Sports reporter Mark Gottlieb wrote: “‘No brainer’ is the correct description … just the wrong definition.”

Journalist James Massola added: “Pretty sure that WA gave up its right to demand Ashes Tests when it stopped being part of Australia.”

Broadcast journalist Michael Smyth said: “First we’ll lock you out, then try to nick your Test … Get stuffed WA.”

WA want second test and swap it with Adelaide. pic.twitter.com/2nEFghFETl

— Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) December 5, 2021

Perth wanting to swap tests with Adelaide. Lol. 🙂 #Ashespic.twitter.com/VVUJyKUPAE

— Georgie Parker (@georgieparker) December 5, 2021

Meanwhile, Australia has confirmed its starting XI for the first Test at the Gabba, beginning on Wednesday.

New captain Pat Cummins revealed on the weekend Travis Head had beaten Usman Khawaja for the vacant middle order berth, and Mitchell Starc had fought off competition from West Australian quick Jhye Richardson.

The selectors’ decision to pick Starc ahead of Richardson comes after public comments from Aussie legend Shane Warne calling for the left-arm paceman to be dropped.

Australia XI for First Ashes Test: Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.