Ashes Cricket in Perth

It’s no surprise that Australia and England like a bit of friendly jibbing. They are our cultural ancestors, after all, and who doesn’t love to tease family? Well, Australians and English alike are about to have a chance to go at it again when the 68th Ashes series comes to Australia.
After Australia’s first cricketing win on English soil, a commentator jokingly remarked that English cricket had died. Since then the Test Cricket Series played between the two countries has been known as the Ashes – complete with ceremoniously burnt wickets and all.
The 68th Series is actually the second to have been played this year. Traditionally, the Ashes is played on an 18 month rotation. As the next rotation had the next Series being played directly before the Cricket World Cup however, the powers that be decided to have a second series in 2013 only 3 months after the final match of the previous series. This series is sure to be hotly contested – both sides have won an equal amount of series to date, and England currently hold the cup for their third win in a row. 
Perth is hosting the Third Test on the 13th – 17th December as well as having held an exhibition match from the 31st October to the 2nd November at the WACA. Since the 1890s, the WACA has been the home of cricket in Western Australia. The pitch is thought of as one of the quickest in the world. Compared to some of the other stadiums hosting matches of the series, the WACA is a small stadium. Seating only 20,000 spectators it’s not uncommon for the Ashes test to become sold out early.

Practical Info

As with the cricket grounds in Australia’s other states, the WACA hosts both a museum and regular tours. Entrance to both is quite affordable, and well worth the insight to the little stadium. Whilst the stadium might be relatively small, the rest of the state certainly is not. While in Perth take the opportunity to head out towards the desert and get a feel for the enormity of Australia’s largest state. Tours to the wacky Pinnacles Desert are particularly popular, or take the opportunity before the match to suss out some of the best small bars in Perth so you’ll know where to celebrate post test.