Perth Stadium’s ‘big advantage’ in race to host first Australia v India Test match

Queensland’s Marnus Labuschagne has added fuel to the idea of Western Australia hosting next summer’s first Test between Australia and India.

Marnus Labuschagne has described playing an Asian team on a bouncy Perth wicket as a “big advantage,” adding fuel to the idea that Western Australia should host the first Test when India visits for its blockbuster series next summer.

While Australia defeating Pakistan in the opener to the Test summer was no shock, the volatile Perth Stadium deck created a fascinating dimension across the back half of the Test.

Aussie batters including Labuschagne were worse for wear after copping blows due to the uneven bounce in the hosts’ second innings.

However Australia handled the pitch vastly better than did the tourists, who capitulated to be bowled out for 89 in little over a session on Sunday night as the Aussies secured a 360-run victory to take a 1-0 series lead.

While the Aussie Test summer has only just begun, attention is already turning to the visit of the Indians for five Tests next summer.

India has won the past four Border-Gavaskar Trophy series including consecutive series victories in Australia, a feat the side had never achieved until 2018-19.

While Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane are effectively guaranteed to host Tests given the series has been expanded to five matches, the order remains up in the air.

The Gabba has traditionally hosted the first Test, providing a platform for Australia to start series well given the Aussies have lost just one Test at the venue in 35 years. That came in January, 2021, when India won the deciding rubber of an epic series.

But while the Gabba has been a notoriously difficult venue for touring sides, Perth Stadium is increasingly building a similar reputation given Australia has won all four Tests played at the venue since it opened in 2018.

Cricket Australia is seeking to create stability in the order of the Test summer after various factors led to a mishmash in recent years.

Perth and Brisbane are both options to be the regular venue for the first Test, and according to Labuschagne, a Queenslander, the edge of playing at a venue like Perth Stadium is significant.

Australia’s attack thrived on Perth’s volatile surface. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“We’re all used to the bounce here and played a lot here,” Labuschagne said.

“A lot of us have got pretty good records here in the West. But I mean, no one likes batting when it’s like that up and down. The sharp steep bounce on a fast wicket. That’s not a cup of tea for anyone. But I mean, yeah, you just have to find a way when it’s like that.

“It is a big advantage. Yeah, you’re playing a subcontinent team on such a bouncy surface. It’s a big bonus.”

While the cricket was violently compelling, the stands were largely empty, especially on Sunday, even though the overall crowd of 59,125 was a record for an Australia-Pakistan Test in Perth.

Outgoing WACA chief executive Christina Matthews told the ABC on Sunday that she thought the Perth Test could be rebranded much like the Pink Test in Sydney to help build the event.

“One of our members during our recent elections proposed that we could make this Test a celebration of Aboriginal culture,” Matthews said.

“We in WA have a very strong Aboriginal cricket history.”

Originally published as Perth Stadium’s ‘big advantage’ in race to host first Australia v India Test match