Cricket Australia confident Perth Test match will remain a showpiece event despite starting on a Wednesday

Cricket Australia are confident this year’s Perth Test will remain a showpiece event, despite the game being scheduled to begin on a Wednesday. Speaking on Monday morning, CA board member and former chairman Dr Lachlan Henderson also made a lighthearted reference to the two-day finish in last year’s Ashes Test at Optus Stadium, saying the governing body was hoping December’s clash with New Zealand would last until the weekend. Under the third and final year of an agreement signed with CA in 2024, the Test summer will again open in WA, with Australia starting a four-game series against the Black Caps on Wednesday, December 9. Henderson spoke at a media opportunity on Monday morning, but turned down the opportunity to answer questions. “The West Test is developing its own history, and Cricket Australia is extremely grateful for the support of the West Australian government,” Henderson said. “Perth Stadium has proven itself to be a world-class facility in recent seasons and we’re looking forward to some more fantastic crowds here again this summer. “New Zealand versus Australia is always a massive rivalry, and we’re hoping this year is no exception, although we are hoping for more than two days of entertainment this time around.” Sports Minister and Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti would not be drawn on the decision to start the game in the middle of the working week, but said the State Government would “advocate for scheduling that maximises attendance and delivers the best possible experience for fans” in future negotiations with CA. “What’s important is that Perth continues to host the opening Test of the summer, so we’ll keep working with Cricket Australia to ensure WA remains front and centre for these major international fixtures,” Saffioti said. “We secured a three-year deal to host the first Test of the season back in 2024 and we’re currently in discussions to secure content from the 2027-28 season.” Australia fast bowler Jhye Richardson said he was confident this year’s contest would comfortably extend beyond two days. “If we look at the make-up of both sides that were playing here (last year), I think it was conducive to a lot of wickets and a lot of quick runs, which is what we saw here. It was obviously very entertaining,” Richardson said. “I think this time around, I think the Test match will naturally go a little bit long with the way that New Zealand plays. “I think two days is slightly on the shorter end — albeit, being a bowler as well, we love to take wickets — but no doubt it’ll be a bit more of a battle this time around. “Test cricket, you’re always up for that challenge and getting up for four or five days. It’s always a battle with the body, but that’s part of the fun, that’s part of what we love about playing Test cricket.”