Perth Cricket Ground

4 Western Australian Cricket Association

Perth Cricket Ground, the WACA held the traditional pre-Christmas feast of Ashes cricket in 2017. The Aussies normally have the upper hand in Western Australia. Will a sublime moment gift the match to England?

You’re almost guaranteed tons of fun in Perth. The West Australian Cricket Association’s ground plays hard and fast. So it’s ideal for the innings building skills of the world’s best batsmen and four of the seven quickest test centuries have been scored here.

However, if ‘The Doctor’ makes a call it’s a different story. The shifting afternoon sea breezes play into the hands of the best pace and swing bowlers. Whatever the weather, it makes for some exciting viewing. Smaller than the MCG and the Gabba, there’s still room for more than 20,000 in the WACA.

The weird and wonderful at the WACA

Lillie’s lethal weapon

Fiery, fast-bowling showman Dennis Lillee took to the field in 1979 wielding the ComBat. This aluminium prototype helped him to all of three runs before Mike Brearley complained that it was damaging the ball. Histrionic Lillee hurled it across the pitch and went back to willow – advertising stunt accomplished.

Strike force

For some he’s the purest striker of the ball that’s ever been seen. Adam Gilchrist pummelled Panesar for 24 in just one over on his way to the second quickest test ton in the Perth test of 2006. It took him just 57 balls and 103 minutes to hit a hundred.