WACA Ground
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The WACA Ground (/ˈwækə/)[2] is a sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. The stadium's name derives from the initials of its owners and operators, the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA).

Key Information

The WACA has been referred to as Western Australia's "home of cricket" since the early 1890s, with Test cricket played at the ground since the 1970–71 season.[3] The ground is the home venue of Western Australia's first-class cricket team, the Western Warriors, and the state's Women's National Cricket League side, the Western Fury. The Perth Scorchers, a Big Bash League franchise, played home matches at the ground until 2019.[4] The Scorchers and Australian national team have shifted most matches to the nearby 60,000-seat Perth Stadium.

The pitch at the WACA is regarded as one of the quickest and bounciest in the world. These characteristics, in combination with the afternoon sea-breezes which regularly pass the ground (the Fremantle Doctor), have historically made the ground an attractive place for pace and swing bowlers. The outfield is exceptionally fast, contributing to the ground seeing some very fast scoring – as of February 2016, four of the nine fastest Test centuries have been scored at the WACA.[5]

Throughout its history, the ground has also been used for a range of other sports, including athletics carnivals, Australian rules football, baseball, soccer, rugby league, rugby union, and international rules football. However, recent years have seen most of these activities relocated to other venues. It has also been used for major rock concerts. The WACA Museum is located on-site and features exhibits about Western Australian cricket.

Early history

[edit]
An early coloured image of the Association ground in about 1910, looking north, with a large crowd watching a game in progress. Note the original 1890s stand is evidently packed.

William Henry Wise, a gardener who came to WA from England in 1880, laid the first turf wicket at the WACA. Wise was personal gardener to Sir George Shenton, of Crawley. In addition to his work at the WACA Ground, he laid the first tennis court on the Perth Esplanade.

The Western Australian Cricket Association was officially established on 25 November 1885 under the Presidency of JCH James. In 1893, the WACA ground was officially opened, occupying a site of old swamp land to the east of the city. The association has a 999-year lease over the land (which expires in 2888). The long term of the lease means that, effectively, the association has freehold title (save that it cannot divest itself of any part of the land without the state government's consent). Originally, the title covered 29 acres (117,000 m2), and took in what is now Gloucester Park. However, the latter part of the land was divested to the Trotting Association in the early 1920s. Between 1977 and 1979, (then-rebel) World Series Cricket matches were played at Gloucester Park because the Kerry Packer-led organisation was not granted access to the WACA.

The first match played on the turf wickets took place in February 1894. However, difficulties encountered in transporting teams to Western Australia meant that the ground was not part of Australia's main cricket community for many years. Even with the building of a transcontinental railway, the trip from the eastern states still took several days. It took the introduction of scheduled flights to Western Australia to make the WACA readily accessible to interstate or overseas teams.

James Gardiner, president of the WACA for three terms between 1897 and 1924, proposed the adoption of 'electorate' cricket (as it was first known) whereby teams were established on a district basis for competition.[6] He also inaugurated Country Week cricket, during which country teams compete against each other.[7] In 1907, the WACA ground was under threat of being controlled by the Perth City Council to recover debts. Gardiner led the bid to save the ground and secured a government loan.[8] Further financial difficulties led Gardiner to again raise funds and donations with a cricket match by the Australian XI team in 1912.[8]

From 1928 to 1935, motorcycle speedway took place around the outside of the oval.[9] The Australian champion in 1928 and 1929 Sig Schlam, lost his life in a crash at the ground on 1 November 1930.[10]

Photo taken during a domestic match at the WACA Ground in 1951.

Ground developments

[edit]
The WACA scoreboard at its opening in December 1953
The WACA Scoreboard in 2015

The WACA ground, like many stadiums of its era, has undergone various re-developments. The most notable are:

  • The building, in 1895, of the first grandstand; seating 500 people and incorporating dressing rooms, a dining room, bathrooms, members' rooms and bars.
  • In 1931 the Farley Stand was opened, named after W.J. Farley, the association's president from 1915–1916 to 1916–17 and secretary from 1917–1918 to 1928–1929.[11]
  • In 1948 the scoreboard at the WACA was destroyed by a storm. In 1954 a replacement scoreboard was built, a donation from the North West Murchison Cricket Association. This, now iconic, scoreboard remains in operation.
  • In the 1960s the Players Pavilion was built to provide facilities for the players and the WACA administration. Additional seating was later added, initially to accommodate the first Test match to be played at the WACA (Australia v England in 1970).
  • Also to welcome Test cricket to the WACA, 1970 saw the opening of the "Test Stand".[12] It was later renamed the Inverarity Stand, after Western Australian, South Australian and Australian player John Inverarity.
  • From 1984 to 1988 the WACA underwent major renovations, including a realignment and a complete resurfacing of the ground and the construction of new terracing and seating in the outer.

Also built were: -

  • the three-tiered Prindiville Stand, named after the then WACA president Bernie Prindiville in 1985
  • the two-tiered Lillee-Marsh Stand named after the former WA Australian cricketers Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh in 1988, which increased the ground's seating capacity.

Six large light towers were also installed in 1986 at a cost of $4.2 million, allowing for night-time sports such as day-night cricket matches to be played at the ground. An icon of the WACA, the floodlights are 70 metres high and cost $600 per hour to run.[13]

The WACA facing north, showing the Inverarity Stand (left) and the Prindiville Stand (right)

These redevelopments also made the venue an attractive venue for sports other than cricket, and it was during the late 1980s and early 1990s that the ground saw its greatest use as a multi-sports venue. From 1987 to 2000, the ground was used by the West Coast Eagles, and from 1995 by the Fremantle Dockers, both Western Australian-based AFL teams. 72 AFL matches were held at the ground during this time. From 1995 to 1997 the WACA also served as the home ground for the Western Reds rugby league team. In the late 1990s the ground played host to the Perth Heat in the former Australian Baseball League (1989-1999).

However, for various reasons, these sports moved away from the WACA (in the case of night football, to Subiaco Oval), and as a consequence, the WACA was again redeveloped in 2002. The capacity of the ground was reduced to around 20,000 with the demolition of the Farley Stand and the old Players Pavilion with the stands being replaced by podiums for temporary stands, replacing the seats square of the wickets with grass hills, the construction of a new Players Pavilion in between the Lillee-Marsh Stand and the Scoreboard, replacement of seats in the remaining grandstands and the dimensions of the playing arena were also decreased by a total of 31 metres at the eastern and western boundaries, meaning Australian rules football could no longer be played at the ground. From time to time, temporary stands are used to boost the ground's capacity to 24,500.

In 2013, a new video screen was installed at the WACA near the old scoreboard, replacing one of the old temporary screens.

Rejected proposals

[edit]

In April 2007 the Western Australian Cricket Association announced a $250m redevelopment of the stadium. Seating capacity was to be increased, with residential and commercial buildings built in the surrounding areas.[14] The project was to be done in partnership with Ascot Capital Limited with a three- to four-year time frame.[15][16] WACA members gave final approval for the project in July 2010 and construction was expected to commence in March 2011.[17] However, by November 2011 work on the redevelopment had still yet to commence, and it was reported that delays could continue for years. Although the project received finance, tax office and members' approval, adverse market conditions were believed to have made the project unfeasible.[18] The redevelopment was also the subject of a dispute between the WACA and the Australian Cricketers Association, with the players' union seeking 26 per cent of the value of the project.[18][19]

Perth Scorchers taking on Hobart Hurricanes at The WACA Ground in 2011 - the first BBL match played at the ground.

In November 2012 the WACA and Ascot Capital Limited commenced selling 137 apartments in "The Gardens", a planned 10-story residential complex to be located on the western boundary line of the ground.[20] Construction of The Gardens was expected to commence mid-2013 and be completed by mid-2015.[21] The agreement between the WACA and Ascot Capital would have seen new northern grandstands, an increase in ground capacity and a long term revenue stream. However, in December 2013 the WACA released a statement that it had abandoned the so-called Gardens Development because it was unable to achieve the pre-sales target in order to finance the project.[22]

In September 2013 Cricket Australia announced that the WACA ground would not host a Test match in the shortened 2014/15 season to accommodate the 2015 Cricket World Cup, a decision which left Perth without a summer test match for the first time in nearly 40 years. Cricket Australia said the WACA Ground required significant improvements, given it has the smallest capacity of the five mainland capital city venues.[23]

2019-2025 redevelopments

[edit]

By the 2018/19 summer, the WACA Ground was no longer the primary international cricket venue in Perth, having been replaced by Perth Stadium in Burswood for most limited overs internationals, Test matches and domestic Big Bash League matches for the Perth Scorchers.[24] Several years before construction of Perth Stadium concluded, the WACA proposed developing the ground into a 15,000-capacity boutique stadium with improved facilities.[25] In March 2019 the WACA unveiled plans to improve cricket training facilities and enable the ground to host large-scale community events. The plans also included a proposal to reshape the ground to once again be capable of hosting Australian rules football matches, notably marquee West Australian Football League matches. The total cost would be $75 million, of which $60 million would need to be either privately financed or granted by state and federal governments.[26]

In August 2019, the Government of Western Australia provided a $100,000 grant to the Western Australian Cricket Association to construct two new change rooms under the Lillee-Marsh Stand to support women's cricket in the state. Construction of the change rooms was completed in time for the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.[27] In December 2019 the WACA confirmed a $30 million grant had been granted from the Federal Government for major upgrade works.[28] This was later matched with an identical grant from the Government of Western Australia.[29]

Redevelopment works began in August 2021.[29] The Inverarity and Prindiville stands were demolished to be replaced by a community sports hub and a new multi-level public pavilion, and the grass hills at either end have been partially excavated to allow Australian rules football matches to again be played at the ground.[30] New facilities include a high-performance cricket centre, a new museum, cafe, gym, and a six-lane, 50-metre outdoor swimming pool. A new aquatic centre will include an indoor learn-to-swim pool and waterslides.[31] As part of the redevelopment, five of the light towers were also upgraded with the replacement of the older lights with LED sports lighting as well as the ability to be lit up in various colours in a similar way to Perth Stadium's exterior and were first switched on in December 2022.[32] Light tower no.2, located next the site of the original Players Pavilion was not upgraded and was demolished to make way for the high-performance centre.

In November 2023, a contract was awarded to ADCO Constructions with an expected 2025 completion date.[33][34][35] Since the redevelopments the ground's capacity has been reduced to 10,000 patrons.[1]

The East Fremantle Football Club played their home matches at the WACA during the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons while East Fremantle Oval was redeveloped.[36][37]

Notable events at the WACA

[edit]
1899
1930s
  • In 1932, Donald Bradman played at the ground for the first time and attracted a crowd in excess of 20,000 in 1932.
  • On 24 and 26 November 1934, the world's first international women's cricket match was played at the WACA Ground between Western Australia and a touring England team.[39] The visitors batted first and declared at 3/201, with Molly Hide scoring an even 100.[40] Western Australia was then dismissed for 82, and, after following on, was 3/59 when stumps were drawn early to enable the visitors to be driven to Fremantle and embark on the SS Balranald for Adelaide.[41]
1950s
  • In March 1958, the first women's cricket Test match to be held in Perth was played at the WACA Ground, and ended in a draw (Scorecard). The match was also the WACA Ground's first Test match.[39]
1960s
  • In October 1967, Western Australia's Ian Brayshaw collected 10 for 44 against Victoria in Victoria's first innings (Scorecard), the second best bowling figures in an innings in Sheffield Shield history.[42]
1970s
  • During the first men's Test match at the WACA, Australia's Greg Chappell scored 108 on Test debut versus England, batting at 7, on 13 December 1970. Brian Luckhurst, Ian Redpath and John Edrich also scored centuries in the draw (Scorecard).
  • On 24 February 1973, The Rolling Stones performed at the WACA during their 1973 Pacific Tour.
  • Doug Walters hit a century in a session against England in 1974, where he hit Bob Willis for six from the last ball of the day (Scorecard).
  • In December 1975 West Indian Roy Fredericks scored a century in just 71 balls against Australia, which was at the time the second fastest century (in terms of balls faced) in Test history.[5] Fredericks went on to score 169, which is the record for the highest score at the WACA by an overseas player (Scorecard).
  • In the semi-final of the 1976/77 Gillette Cup domestic one day competition, which became known as the "Miracle Match", Western Australia was bowled out by Queensland for 77, before dismissing Queensland for 62 to win the match.(Scorecard).
  • Australian batsman Tony Mann scored 108 against India as nightwatchman in 1977/1978. This is one of only five centuries by a nightwatchman in Test match cricket (Scorecard).
  • In 1977–1978, the Domestic One-Day Final was played at the WACA for the first time, with Western Australia defeating Tasmania.
  • On the last day of a Test match in March 1979, Pakistani tailender Sikander Bakht was Mankaded by Australia's Alan Hurst to end Pakistan's innings. Later in the day, Australian Andrew Hilditch was dismissed handled the ball after he interrupted a throw from mid-on and passed the ball to the bowler Sarfraz Nawaz, who appealed. Both dismissals were considered to have been against the spirit of cricket, and Nawaz' appeal was considered to have been retribution for Bakht's Mankading. (Scorecard).[43]
  • England's only men's Test win at the ground came during the World Series Cricket split in 1978/1979, when David Gower scored 102. Rodney Hogg took ten wickets for Australia (Scorecard).
  • In December 1979, on the second day of the Test match between Australia and England, Dennis Lillee came out to bat with a cricket bat made from aluminium, known as a ComBat, rather than the traditional willow. After four deliveries and three runs, England captain Mike Brearley complained it was damaging the ball. Play was held up for ten minutes as the umpires persuaded Lillee to change to a wooden bat (Video). In the same match, Ian Botham took 11 for 176 (6 for 78 and 5 for 98), which were his best figures against Australia (Scorecard).
1980s
  • On 9 December 1980, a one-day international match was played at the ground for the first time, between India and New Zealand, which India won by 5 runs (Scorecard).
  • In a 1981 incident described by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack as "one of the most undignified incidents in Test history", Dennis Lillee and Pakistani batsman Javed Miandad clashed after the two collided with each other on the pitch. After colliding, Lillee turned and kicked Miandad from behind; Miandad lifted his bat above his head as if to strike Lillee and Lillee backed off. The umpire Tony Crafter stepped in to separate the two. Lillee was fined and suspended for two matches – (Video, Scorecard).
  • Terry Alderman suffered a serious shoulder injury in 1982/1983 while tackling an English ground invader in the Test match against England. Greg Chappell led his team off the ground for 14 minutes and 26 arrests were made (Video, Scorecard).
  • On 5 February 1984 the record one-day cricket match crowd at WACA Ground of 27,057 was recorded, for the game contested by Australia and the West Indies.(Scorecard).
  • In December 1984, the WACA hosted its second women's Test match, between Australia and England.[39] Local Test debutante Denise Emerson (sister of Terry Alderman)[44] top scored for Australia with 84 in the team's first innings, but Jan Brittin achieved the overall top score with 112 in England's second innings (Scorecard). The match was drawn.[39]
  • In 1986 Western Australia played Victoria in a McDonald's Cup fixture as the ground's first cricket match under lights.
  • The Benson & Hedges Perth Challenge, a one-off One Day International tournament, was held in late December 1986 and early January 1987 to help celebrate Australia's defence of the America's Cup yachting competition. Australia, England, Pakistan and the West Indies were the competitors, with England winning the tournament (Scorecards).
  • Merv Hughes took a hat-trick in the Test against the West Indies in 1988/1989, and went on to take 8–87 in the innings. He ended up with 13–217 for the match, the most wickets taken at the ground in a Test match. In the same Test, Australian tail-end batsman Geoff Lawson had his jaw broken by a Curtly Ambrose bouncer (Scorecard).
  • New Zealander Mark Greatbatch scored 146 not out off 485 balls against Australia in November 1989. The match was drawn. Greatbatch was at the crease for almost 11 hours over two days, and saved New Zealand from defeat (Scorecard).
  • Geoff Marsh scored 355* for Western Australia v South Australia in December 1989 (Scorecard). This is the highest ever individual score at the ground by a Western Australian and the seventh highest score in Sheffield Shield history.[45] During this innings, Marsh shared a 1st wicket partnership of 431 with Mike Veletta, the highest ever first wicket partnership in interstate cricket.[46]
1990s
  • Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh put on a partnership of 464* for New South Wales against Western Australia in 1990,(Scorecard), which is the highest partnership in Sheffield Shield history.[47]
  • On 30 January 1993, Curtly Ambrose had a stunning spell of 7–1 (eventually 7/25) as Australia crashed from 3–85 to 119 all out (Scorecard).
  • The largest cricket crowd at the WACA, 28,210, was recorded on 16 January 1994 when Australia played South Africa in a One Day International match.[48] (Scorecard).
  • The largest crowd at the WACA of 34,317 attended the AFL Preliminary Final between the West Coast Eagles and the Melbourne Football Club, 24 September 1994.
  • In 1995, watched by a record 24,392, the Western Reds Rugby League team made its debut in ARL competition, defeating St George 28–16.
  • On 24 June 1995, First ever international friendly soccer played at the WACA of 11,634. Socceroos vs Ghana and lost 0–1.
  • The Western Warriors defeated the Queensland Bulls in the final of the 1999/2000 Australian one-day domestic competition. WA batted first and made 301. Queensland was in a comfortable position at 1/202 in the 30th over, only to collapse to be all out for 256 in the 46th over.
2000s
  • On 1 December 2000, Australia's Glenn McGrath took a Test hat-trick, dismissing the West Indian batsmen Sherwin Campbell, Brian Lara, and captain Jimmy Adams, taking his 300th Test wicket in the process (Lara). This also lead the way to Australia's first ever win against the West Indies at the WACA after 5 losses (including 3 by an innings) from previous encounters stretching back as far as 1975.(Scorecard)
  • In February 2001, Australia's Damien Martyn scored 144* against Zimbabwe in a one-day international, the highest ODI score for an individual at the ground. Australia won the game by one run.(Scorecard)
  • Australia's Matthew Hayden scored a then Test-record 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003, surpassing Brian Lara's world record highest score of 375. Australia declared at 735–6, the highest ever team total compiled at the ground in Tests (Scorecard).
  • In 2004, at the age of 34, Glenn McGrath took eight wickets for 24 runs against Pakistan, his best Test bowling figures, and the best ever Test bowling figures at the WACA (Scorecard).
  • On 8 May 2004, KISS kicked off their Rock the Nation Tour at the WACA.
  • On 12 January 2005, the WACA hosted Australia's first Twenty20 match, played between the Western Warriors and the Victorian Bushrangers. It drew a sellout crowd of 20,700 – the largest seen at the ground for many years.
  • Chris Rogers and Marcus North put on a partnership of 459, Western Australia v Victoria, in October 2006 (Scorecard). This is the third highest partnership[47] and highest partnership for the third wicket[46] in Sheffield Shield history. Rogers' score of 279 was at the time the second highest ever by a West Australian, behind the 355* that Geoff Marsh scored at the same ground in December 1989.[45]
  • Australian wicket keeper Adam Gilchrist hit the second fastest hundred in Test match history (now the fourth fastest), off 57 balls, in the 3rd Ashes Test match, in December 2006.[5](Scorecard)This was just one more ball than the record set by Viv Richards in 1985–1986.[5] It eclipsed the previous Australian record of a hundred off 67 balls set by Jack Gregory at Johannesburg in 1921–1922.[5] Gilchrist did not score a run from seven of his first nine deliveries.
  • The WACA hosted its first Twenty20 International match on 11 December 2007. Australia defeated New Zealand by 55 runs (Scorecard).
  • India defeated Australia by 72 runs to end Australia's record-equaling Test match winning streak of 16 consecutive wins, in January 2008 (Scorecard).
  • South Africa defeated Australia by six wickets in a Test match in December 2008, achieving the second-highest successful run chase in Test history when they reached the victory target of 414 late in the second session on the final day, for the loss of just four wickets.[49] In the match, Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson became the first left-arm paceman to take eight wickets in a Test innings with figures of 8/61 in South Africa's first innings (Scorecard).
  • In December 2009, West Indian Chris Gayle scored the fifth-fastest hundred in Test cricket history, against Australia (now the eighth fastest).[5] His hundred came off just 70 balls and included six sixes and nine fours.(Scorecard).
2010s
  • During a one-day international between Australia and Pakistan in January 2010, Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was captured by television cameras making two solid biting motions into the ball; he was suspended for two matches after pleading guilty to ball tampering. In the same game, Pakistan player Khalid Latif was crash-tackled to the ground by a spectator who had run onto the ground to reach the cricketer, later leading to intense scrutiny of the WACA's security measures.
  • In January 2012, Australian batsman David Warner scored a century off 69 balls against India, the equal fourth fastest hundred in Test cricket history shared with Shivnarine Chanderpaul of the West Indies (now equal sixth fastest).[5](Scorecard).
  • Liam Davis and Adam Voges had a 343-run partnership for Western Australia v New South Wales in February 2012 (Scorecard). This ranks inside the top-five WA partnerships of all time and marked the best third-wicket WA partnership against NSW. Davis' score of 303* is the 16th highest score in Sheffield Shield history.[45]
  • The Guinness World Record for the highest basketball shot in the world was thrown from one of the four flood-light towers at the WACA (Video).
  • In January 2014, the WACA hosted its third women's Test match, between England and Australia. In a low-scoring contest, in which the momentum ebbed and flowed until the final morning, England emerged the winner, by 61 runs, but Ellyse Perry of Australia was awarded player of the match (Scorecard). England's veteran captain Charlotte Edwards has since described the Test as "the most incredible match I'll ever play in".[50]
  • On 13 November 2015 David Warner scored 253 against New Zealand, which at the time was the second highest test score at the ground[51] In the same game on 15 November, Ross Taylor scored 290, the highest total against an Australian team in Australia. Also he overtook Warner's score in the previous innings to make the second highest test score at the ground.[52]
  • On 14 December 2017, WACA hosted its final Ashes Test, and possibly final international match. In that match, both Dawid Malan (140) and Mitchell Marsh scored their maiden Test centuries (Marsh reached 181) and Jonny Bairstow scored his first century in Australia, Steve Smith scored his maiden home Test double-century, then went on to his highest Test score (239). Smith and Marsh also achieved the highest partnership for the 5th wicket at the WACA (301). The match ended with Australia regaining the Ashes.(Scorecard).
  • On 25 January 2018, the WACA hosted its final Big Bash League match - Perth Scorchers V Adelaide Strikers.

2020s

  • Between 6-9 March 2026, the WACA Ground will host its first Day Night Test Match and first Women's Day Night Test Match between Australia and India.[53]

Test cricket records

[edit]
Ricky Ponting holds the record for most career runs at the WACA.

Batting

[edit]
Most career runs[54]
Runs Player Period
965 (26 innings) Australia Ricky Ponting 1995–2012
931 (26 innings) Australia Allan Border 1979–1993
846 (19 innings) Australia David Boon 1985–1995
843 (21 innings) Australia Steve Waugh 1986–2003
825 (10 innings) Australia David Warner 2012–2017
David Gower holds the record for most career runs at the ground by a non-Australian.
Matthew Hayden scored 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003, the highest score at the ground.
Most career runs (non-Australia)[55]
Runs Player Period
471 (10 innings) England David Gower 1978–1991
422 (6 innings) South Africa AB de Villiers 2005–2012
326 (2 innings) New Zealand Ross Taylor 2015–2015
320 (6 innings) South Africa Graeme Smith 2005–2012
319 (6 innings) England Geoffrey Boycott 1970–1979
Highest individual scores[56]
Runs Player Date
380 v. Zimbabwe Australia Matthew Hayden 9 Oct 2003
290 v. Australia New Zealand Ross Taylor 13 Nov 2015
253 v. New Zealand Australia David Warner 13 Nov 2015
239 v. England Australia Steve Smith 14 Dec 2017
231 v. Sri Lanka Australia Michael Slater 8 Dec 1995
Most centuries[57]
Centuries Player Period
3 (9 innings) Australia Steve Smith 2010–2024
3 (10 innings) Australia David Warner 2012–2017
2 (6 innings) South Africa AB de Villiers 2005–2012
2 (7 innings) Australia Dean Jones 1986–1992
2 (9 innings) Australia Michael Slater 1993–2000
2 (10 innings) England David Gower 1978–1991
2 (13 innings) Australia Greg Chappell 1970–1983
2 (14 innings) Australia Adam Gilchrist 1999–2008
2 (15 innings) Australia Michael Hussey 2005–2012
2 (16 innings) Australia Mark Waugh 1991–2001
2 (16 innings) Australia Justin Langer 1993–2006
2 (19 innings) Australia David Boon 1985–1995
2 (26 innings) Australia Allan Border 1979–1993
Highest batting average (3+ matches)[58]
Average Player Period
84.40 (6 innings, 1 NO) South Africa AB de Villiers 2005–2012
82.50 (10 innings, 0 NO) Australia David Warner 2012–2017
81.33 (7 innings, 1 NO) Australia Dean Jones 1986–1992
70.75 (6 innings, 2 NO) Australia Ian Redpath 1970–1975
69.50 (6 innings, 2 NO) New Zealand Martin Crowe 1985–1993

Bowling

[edit]
Glenn McGrath took 52 wickets in 24 innings, the most by any bowler.
Curtly Ambrose took 24 wickets in six innings, the most by a non-Australian.
Most career wickets[59]
Wickets Player Period
52 (24 innings) Australia Glenn McGrath 1993–2006
45 (14 innings) Australia Mitchell Johnson 2008–2015
40 (16 innings) Australia Brett Lee 2000–2008
39 (11 innings) Australia Merv Hughes 1988–1993
38 (15 innings) Australia Craig McDermott 1985–1995
Most career wickets (non-Australia)[60]
Wickets Player Period
24 (6 innings) Cricket West Indies Curtly Ambrose 1988–1997
18 (4 innings) New Zealand Richard Hadlee 1980–1985
14 (8 innings) England Ian Botham 1978–1986
14 (8 innings) England Bob Willis 1974–1982
13 (4 innings) Cricket West Indies Ian Bishop 1993–1997
Best innings figures[61]
Figures Player Date
8/24 v. Pakistan Australia Glenn McGrath 1 Dec 2004
8/61 v. South Africa Australia Mitchell Johnson 17 Dec 2008
8/87 v. West Indies Australia Merv Hughes 2 Dec 1988
8/97 v. England Australia Craig McDermott 1 Feb 1991
7/25 v. Australia Cricket West Indies Curtly Ambrose 30 Jan 1993
7/27 v. India Australia Mike Whitney 1 Feb 1992
7/54 v. Australia Cricket West Indies Andy Roberts 12 Dec 1975
Best match figures[62]
Figures Player Date
13/217 v. West Indies Australia Merv Hughes 2 Dec 1988
11/95 v. India Australia Mike Whitney 1 Feb 1992
11/118 v. Pakistan Australia Carl Rackemann 11 Nov 1983
11/155 v. Australia New Zealand Richard Hadlee 30 Nov 1985
11/157 v. England Australia Craig McDermott 1 Feb 1991
11/159 v. South Africa Australia Mitchell Johnson 17 Dec 2008
11/176 v. Australia England Ian Botham 14 Dec 1979
Lowest strike rate (4+ innings)[63]
Strike rate Player Period
26.5 (13 wickets) Cricket West Indies Ian Bishop 1993–1997
26.6 (24 wickets) Cricket West Indies Curtly Ambrose 1988–1997
28.0 (18 wickets) Australia Michael Kasprowicz 1997–2004
30.7 (14 wickets) Australia Damien Fleming 1998–1999
32.9 (11 wickets) Cricket West Indies Michael Holding 1975–1984

Team records

[edit]
Highest innings scores[64]
Score Team Date
6/735d Australia Australia v. Zimbabwe 9 Oct 2003
6/662d Australia Australia v. England 14 Dec 2017
624 New Zealand New Zealand v. Australia 13 Nov 2015
5/617d Australia Australia v. Sri Lanka 8 Dec 1995
8/592d England England v. Australia 28 Nov 1986
Lowest completed innings[65]
Score Team Date
62 Pakistan Pakistan v. Australia 13 Nov 1981
72 Pakistan Pakistan v. Australia 16 Dec 2004
76 Australia Australia v. West Indies 9 Nov 1984
104 Australia Australia v. India 22 Nov 2024
112 England England v. Australia 28 Nov 1998

Partnership records

[edit]
Highest partnerships[66]
Runs Wicket Players Match Date
327 5th Ricky Ponting (197) & Justin Langer (144) Australia Australia v. Pakistan Pakistan 26 Nov 1999
302 2nd David Warner (253) & Usman Khawaja (121) Australia Australia v. New Zealand New Zealand 13 Nov 2015
301 5th Steve Smith (239) & Mitchell Marsh (181) Australia Australia v. England England 14 Dec 2017
265 3rd Ross Taylor (290) & Kane Williamson (166) New Zealand New Zealand v. Australia Australia 13 Nov 2015
259 2nd Wayne Phillips (159) & Graham Yallop (141) Australia Australia v. Pakistan Pakistan 11 Nov 1983
Highest partnerships by wicket[67]
Runs Wicket Players Match Date
228 1st Michael Slater (219) & Mark Taylor (96) Australia Australia v. Sri Lanka Sri Lanka 8 Dec 1995
302 2nd David Warner (253) & Usman Khawaja (121) Australia Australia v. New Zealand New Zealand 13 Nov 2015
265 3rd Ross Taylor (290) & Kane Williamson (166) New Zealand New Zealand v. Australia Australia 13 Nov 2015
207 4th Matthew Hayden (380) & Steve Waugh (78) Australia Australia v. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe 9 Oct 2003
327 5th Ricky Ponting (197) & Justin Langer (144) Australia Australia v. Pakistan Pakistan 26 Nov 1999
233 6th Matthew Hayden (380) & Adam Gilchrist (113*) Australia Australia v. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe 9 Oct 2003
149 7th Jeff Dujon (139) & Larry Gomes (127) Cricket West Indies West Indies v. Australia Australia 9 Nov 1984
253 8th Nathan Astle (156*) & Adam Parore (110) New Zealand New Zealand v. Australia Australia 30 Nov 2001
81 9th Sachin Tendulkar (114) & Kiran More (43) India India v. Australia Australia 1 Feb 1992
87 10th Mitchell Starc (68*) & Nathan Lyon (31) Australia Australia v. South Africa South Africa 30 Nov 2012

Last updated 4 July 2022.

Cricket museum

[edit]

The WACA has a temporarily closed cricket museum just next to the ground. Visitors can view memorabilia of Australian cricket. They display not only the history of cricket, but also other sports played at the WACA. This will be reopened with the Prindiville Building redevelopment in late 2025 / early 2026.

References

[edit]
[edit]
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WACA Ground

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The WACA Ground is a historic multi-purpose sports venue in East Perth, Western Australia, serving as the traditional home of cricket for the Western Australian Cricket Association since its establishment in 1893 on former swamp land.[1] Originally built to host cricket matches reflecting English colonial traditions, it has evolved into a key site for various sports, including Australian rules football, rugby, and soccer, while hosting significant events like the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games athletics competitions.[1] The ground gained international prominence with its first Test cricket match in the 1970–71 season against England, quickly earning a reputation for its fast, bouncy grass pitches that favored pace bowlers.[2] Over its history, the WACA Ground has undergone several redevelopments to modernize facilities, including the construction of the Grandstand in 1895, the Farley Stand in 1931, and major upgrades in 2002 that improved player and spectator amenities while reducing permanent capacity to around 20,000, expandable to 24,500 with temporary seating.[3][1] Notable milestones include hosting Don Bradman's 1932 visit, military use during World War II from 1942 to 1946, Western Australia's entry into the Sheffield Shield in 1947, and the inaugural Twenty20 match in Australia in 2005.[1] The venue also holds the record for its largest crowd of 34,317, set during a 1994 AFL match between West Coast Eagles and Melbourne.[3] Since the opening of Perth Stadium (Optus Stadium) in 2018, the WACA Ground has shifted focus from international cricket to domestic competitions, serving as the home for Western Australia's men's and women's teams in events like the Sheffield Shield and Women's Big Bash League,[2] and it also hosts occasional international matches for the Australian women's national cricket team.[4][5] As of 2025, it remains an active venue for premier cricket, including the ongoing Sheffield Shield season, while undergoing a major $183 million redevelopment project to transform it into a 10,000-seat multi-sport and community hub, incorporating aquatic and health facilities to extend its Aboriginal cultural narrative and ensure long-term viability.[6][7] This evolution underscores its enduring significance as a cornerstone of Western Australian sport and heritage.[8]

Overview

Location and establishment

The WACA Ground is located at 39 Nelson Crescent in East Perth, Western Australia, positioned adjacent to the Swan River with geographic coordinates of 31°57′35″S 115°52′46″E. This site places it in close proximity to the Perth central business district, facilitating easy access for spectators and contributing to its role as a prominent urban landmark. The venue occupies land historically significant for Indigenous cultural practices, including gatherings for sharing food, stories, and ceremonies by the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation.[9][10][6] Established by the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA), which was founded on 25 November 1885 under the presidency of J.H.C. James, the ground represented a major step in organized sport in the colony. Land for the venue was allocated in December 1889 on former swamp land east of the city, where clearing and development transformed the marshy terrain into a usable oval. The site shifted Western Australian cricket from scattered informal grounds to a dedicated permanent facility, officially opening in 1893 with initial infrastructure including basic fencing and a grass surface. Originally referred to as the Association Ground, it was designed from the outset as a multi-sport venue to support the growing interest in organized athletics.[9][11][2][10] From its inception, the ground hosted a variety of events beyond cricket, including athletics meets and cycling races during the 1890s, reflecting the era's enthusiasm for diverse sporting activities on a single venue. The first cricket matches on prepared turf wickets took place in February 1894, establishing the site's foundational role in the sport. Over time, the WACA Ground gained prominence as a Test cricket host beginning with the 1970–71 season, when it welcomed its inaugural international match between Australia and England, solidifying its status in national cricket history.[12][13][14][15]

Ownership and current uses

The WACA Ground is owned and operated by the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA), the governing body for cricket in Western Australia and a member association of Cricket Australia.[16] The venue's management emphasizes community engagement and sustainable operations, with ongoing support from state government initiatives to enhance its role in regional sports development.[17] As of November 2025, the ground's major redevelopment is nearing completion, expected in late 2025 with full works by early 2026, reconfiguring capacity to 10,000 seats and creating a boutique, multi-sport environment designed for intimate spectator experiences and broader community access.[18][19] This setup supports year-round usage, including high-performance training facilities and public programs, while preserving the venue's historic cricket heritage.[19] The WACA Ground serves as the primary venue for domestic cricket competitions in Western Australia, hosting matches in the Sheffield Shield, Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), and Women's National Cricket League (WNCL), with its official reopening timed for the 2025-26 season.[20] Beyond cricket, it has expanded into multi-purpose uses, including an integrated aquatics and health hub named The Pavilion—operated by BlueFit—which offers fitness, wellness, and leisure facilities overlooking the field.[21] The precinct also accommodates events such as concerts and corporate functions through its new multi-purpose event centre and auditorium, fostering a vibrant, all-season destination.[19] The redevelopment, approved with a $154.7 million budget by the WACA Board in 2023, was executed under a contract awarded to ADCO Constructions in 2023.[22][23] Funding partnerships include significant state government contributions, such as an additional $15 million from the WA Labor Government in the 2025-26 budget to support community-oriented facilities like the aquatics centre.[17] These investments, combined with federal and local inputs, ensure the venue's evolution into a shared public asset.[24]

Historical development

Early history

The WACA Ground commenced operations with a series of diverse sporting events in 1892 and 1893, including lawn tennis tournaments, cycling races, athletic meetings, and pony races, which helped establish it as a multi-purpose venue in Perth. These early activities attracted local interest and laid the foundation for its development into Western Australia's primary sports facility, built on former swamp land that initially posed challenges for consistent use. The inaugural cricket fixtures followed soon after, with the first matches on turf wickets played in February 1894, transitioning the ground from varied events to a focused cricket hub.[15][2] By 1912, the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) had solidified its administrative presence at the ground, adopting it as its headquarters and centralizing governance for the sport in the state. The venue saw intermittent hosting of other codes during this pre-Test era, including Australian rules football by the Perth Football Club from 1908 to 1959, baseball, soccer, and rugby matches, alongside athletics carnivals that continued until 1962. A cycling track and tennis lawns were added in the 1890s, and a bowling green in 1907, broadening its appeal while cricket remained the core activity. Early drainage problems stemming from the site's swampy origins were progressively addressed through land improvements by the 1920s, enabling more reliable pitch preparation and event scheduling.[1][10] The ground's transition toward international prominence began with its first first-class match in April 1899 against South Australia, followed by hosting intercolonial tours, such as the English XI in 1907. Western Australia gained entry to the Sheffield Shield in the 1947–48 season, marking a significant step in national integration, though full participation came later. Key figures in this era included early administrators like founding president John Charles Horsey James, who oversaw the association's establishment in 1885, and local cricketers who promoted the venue through representative sides. Attendance surged during the interwar period, exemplified by over 20,000 spectators for Donald Bradman's appearance in 1932, reflecting growing public enthusiasm amid campaigns for Test status. Efforts by administrators and players culminated in the ground's selection for its first Test match in 1970 against England, a milestone after decades of advocacy.[2][10][14]

Major developments and redevelopments

The WACA Ground underwent significant expansions during the late 20th century to accommodate growing crowds and modernize facilities for international cricket. In 1970, the Inverarity Stand was constructed in preparation for the inaugural Test match in Perth, providing dedicated seating for spectators and marking the venue's entry into the Test era.[25] This was followed in 1984 by the opening of the Prindiville Stand as the first phase of a major redevelopment, offering three-tiered seating opposite the members' area to enhance viewing options.[26] The Lillee-Marsh Stand, serving as the members' reserve on the southern side, was completed and opened in December 1988 during an Australia-West Indies Test, increasing covered seating and incorporating player amenities.[15] These developments, along with floodlight installation in 1986 at a cost of $4.2 million, enabled day-night matches and elevated the ground's capacity to approximately 24,500 by the early 2000s.[27] In the 2010s, several proposals for the venue's future were considered but ultimately rejected, reflecting debates over its role amid the rise of Perth Stadium (Optus Stadium). Plans in 2013 to fully redevelop and potentially relocate major cricket events to a new 60,000-seat multi-purpose stadium at Burswood were abandoned due to poor commercial viability and sales projections for adjacent developments.[28] By 2015, further discussions on shifting all international fixtures to the forthcoming Perth Stadium were dismissed in favor of retaining the WACA's heritage status, with the ground repurposed as a boutique venue to preserve its historical significance in Western Australian cricket. This decision was reinforced by the venue's entry on the State Heritage Register in 2022, highlighting its cultural and sporting legacy since 1893.[1] The most transformative project began in earnest in 2019, with detailed planning for a comprehensive redevelopment approved in 2023 at a cost of $164.5 million (as of 2025), including an additional $15 million funding in May 2025, led by contractor ADCO Constructions starting in November 2023.[29][17] Key milestones included the demolition of the Inverarity and Prindiville stands in 2021-2022 to facilitate oval lengthening by 20 meters for multi-sport use, followed by structural topping out in May 2025, with full completion scheduled for early 2026.[30] The project introduces a new multi-level northern grandstand replacing the demolished structures, enhanced media and broadcast facilities, and integrated community spaces such as an all-abilities playground, sensory rooms, and a 50-meter aquatic center operated by BlueFit.[31] Capacity has been intentionally reduced to 10,000 seats (with an event overlay up to 15,000) to foster a more intimate atmosphere, contrasting the larger Perth Stadium while prioritizing accessibility and year-round community engagement.[32] These changes have repositioned the WACA from its role as Perth's primary Test venue—hosting its last in December 2017 during the Ashes—to a supporting facility for domestic and occasional international matches at Perth Stadium.[33] Historical elements, including the preserved Lillee-Marsh Stand and integration of Aboriginal cultural narratives from nearby Matagarup, ensure the venue's legacy endures alongside its modern functions.[6]

Venue features

Playing surface and pitch conditions

The playing surface at the WACA Ground consists of a central pitch measuring the standard 22 yards (20.12 meters) in length and 10 feet (3.05 meters) in width, surrounded by a fast outfield that facilitates quick running between wickets. Historically, the pitch has been celebrated for its exceptional pace and bounce, often described as one of the liveliest in world cricket, which has consistently challenged batsmen while rewarding skilled fast bowlers with seam movement and sharp carry.[34][35] These characteristics arise from the hard, dry subsoil typical of Perth's climate, promoting extra bounce that can exceed norms at other Australian venues, alongside opportunities for lateral movement early in matches. In Test cricket, this has resulted in an average first-innings score of around 295 runs, underscoring the surface's bowler-friendly nature. The afternoon sea breeze, locally known as the Fremantle Doctor, further enhances conditions by generating crosswinds that assist swing bowling, particularly from the Members End, while cooling the ground after midday heat. Since the early 2000s, curators have introduced subtle greening to the pitches to foster greater equilibrium between batting and bowling, reducing the extreme hostility seen in prior decades without fully diminishing the venue's lively reputation.[36][37] Maintenance of the playing surface has been overseen by dedicated curators since the ground's establishment in the 1890s, with the role evolving to emphasize precision in preparation for international and domestic fixtures. Roy Abbott, appointed head curator in 1951, played a transformative part by refining pitch construction techniques that amplified the venue's natural pace and durability, a legacy that influenced subsequent generations of grounds staff. Challenges have included managing cracks that emerge in dry conditions, notably during the 1990s when low-scoring Tests, such as the 1996-97 encounter against the West Indies, featured widening fissures up to several centimeters, leading to erratic bounce and totals below 200 in some innings. The ongoing 2025 redevelopment incorporates enhanced drainage systems to mitigate such issues, ensuring consistent surface integrity amid broader venue upgrades.[38][39] Compared to global standards, the WACA pitch has historically delivered higher wicket tallies for fast bowlers, exemplified by Glenn McGrath's record 52 dismissals in 13 Tests at the ground, often exceeding typical rates due to the pronounced seam and bounce. For limited-overs cricket, the surface retains its speed but benefits from relatively shorter boundaries—averaging 65-70 meters to the ropes—allowing for higher scoring rates while still testing batsmen against pace.[40]

Stands, infrastructure, and capacity

The stands at the WACA Ground underwent significant reconfiguration during the 2025 redevelopment to prioritize a boutique, intimate atmosphere. The former Inverarity and Prindiville stands were demolished to accommodate a new central pavilion on the northern side, offering modern seating with enhanced views of the playing surface and corporate facilities.[32] The heritage Members' Stand was retained without impact, preserving its historical elements and providing exclusive access for members.[32] The Lillee-Marsh Stand was upgraded to contemporary standards, including enhancements for high-performance training, while maintaining its structural integrity.[41] Infrastructure enhancements support versatile operations, with LED floodlights upgraded in 2022 to meet International Cricket Council standards, enabling high-quality night events and colorful displays.[42] The venue benefits from strong public transport links, including proximity to East Perth station for efficient access.[43] Nearby parking at Queens Gardens Car Park includes designated accessible spots.[43] The redevelopment reduced the ground's permanent capacity to 10,000 seats from a pre-project maximum of 24,500, emphasizing spectator proximity and atmosphere over large-scale crowds; an event overlay allows up to 15,000 for select occasions.[44] This includes a blend of fixed seating, limited standing areas, and preserved grass hill remnants to retain a traditional, evocative feel.[32] Accessibility improvements introduced in 2025 cater to diverse needs, featuring wheelchair platforms, family zones, sensory rooms, an all-abilities playground called the Karda Playspace with ramps and interactive elements, and specialized 'changing places' facilities.[6][45]

Cricket records

Test cricket records

The WACA Ground has hosted 44 Test matches since its first in 1970–71, with Australia securing victory in 25 of them, while visiting teams have won 11 and 8 have ended in draws. The venue's fast, bouncy pitch has historically favored pace bowlers and produced high-scoring encounters for home teams, though recent years saw more balanced contests.[46][2]

Batting records

The highest individual score at the WACA in Tests is 380 by Matthew Hayden for Australia against Zimbabwe in 2003, during which he became the first player to score a triple century in the ground's Test history. Other notable high scores include 290 by Ross Taylor for New Zealand against Australia in 2015. The highest team total is 662/9 declared by Australia against England in 1979, featuring centuries from Rick McCosker (177) and Kim Hughes (175*). Australia's 617/5 declared against South Africa in 2008, with Ricky Ponting (143) and Michael Hussey (195), stands as another landmark. Conversely, the lowest team total is 62 all out by Pakistan against Australia in 2004, bowled out in 21.2 overs amid a pace onslaught.[47][48][49]
Record TypePlayer/TeamFiguresOpponentYearSource
Highest individual scoreMatthew Hayden (Aus)380Zimbabwe2003ESPNcricinfo
Highest team totalAustralia662/9dEngland1979ESPNcricinfo
Lowest team totalPakistan62Australia2004ESPNcricinfo

Bowling records

Bowling has thrived on the WACA's lively surface, with the best figures in an innings being 7/83 by Dennis Lillee for Australia against West Indies in 1975. Abdul Qadir's 7/156 for Pakistan against Australia in 1986 remains the best by a visiting bowler, showcasing leg-spin effectiveness despite the conditions. The most wickets in a match is 11/123 by Lillee against West Indies in 1975, a performance that included 7/94 in the first innings and helped Australia to an innings victory. Other standout hauls include 10/147 by Curtly Ambrose for West Indies against Australia in 1992 and 9/93 by Shane Warne for Australia against Pakistan in 1999. Five-wicket hauls have occurred 22 times, with Lillee claiming 6 at the venue.[50][51]
Record TypeBowlerFiguresOpponentYearSource
Best in an inningsDennis Lillee (Aus)7/83West Indies1975ESPNcricinfo
Most in a matchDennis Lillee (Aus)11/123West Indies1975ESPNcricinfo

Team records

Australia's dominance is evident, with 25 wins from 44 Tests, including 10 by an innings. The highest successful run chase at the WACA is 414/4 by South Africa against Australia in 2008, led by Graeme Smith's unbeaten 108 and an unbeaten 98 from AB de Villiers, marking only the second 400+ chase in Test history at the time. A notable chase for Australia is 226/9 against New Zealand in 1993, securing a thrilling 1-wicket victory. Visiting teams' wins include 11 successes: West Indies (5), South Africa (2), England (1), India (1), Pakistan (1), and New Zealand (1).[52][53]

Partnership records

The highest partnership for any wicket is 301 unbroken for the second wicket by Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting for Australia against Pakistan in 2004, propelling a massive first-innings total of 599. For the first wicket, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer hold the record with 255 against Sri Lanka in 2004. The highest for the third wicket is 224 by Adam Voges and Steve Smith against West Indies in 2015. Century partnerships have been frequent, with 42 recorded across all wickets, 15 of them for the first wicket alone, underscoring the venue's batting-friendly opening conditions in later years.[54]

One Day International records

The WACA Ground has hosted 80 men's One Day International matches from 1980 to 2017, with Australia securing victory in 49 of them.[55] The venue's fast, bouncy pitch has favored high-scoring games, particularly for teams batting first, who have won 40 of the 80 contests, while teams chasing have triumphed 37 times, with one tie and two no-results.[56] Notable team performances include Australia's dominant record against touring sides, highlighted by their highest successful chase of 283 for 7 wickets against South Africa in 1997, powered by Mark Waugh's unbeaten 98.

Batting records

The highest team total at the WACA in ODIs is 316 for 8 wickets by England against Australia in 2014, driven by Joe Root's 57 and Eoin Morgan's 44 in a Tri-Series match.[57] In contrast, the lowest completed innings is 99 all out by Sri Lanka against Australia in 1987, where Craig McDermott took 4 for 23 to skittle the visitors on a seaming pitch.[58] For individual scores, Steve Smith's 149 off 179 balls against India in 2013 stands as the highest, anchoring Australia's 303 for 9 in a comfortable victory.[59]

Bowling records

Bowling has thrived on the WACA's lively surface, with Mitchell Johnson's 5 for 29 against England in 2011 the best figures in an innings, dismantling the top order in a low-scoring affair that Australia won by 57 runs.[60] Other standout performances include Irfan Pathan's 5 for 50 for India against Australia in 2004 and Wasim Akram's 5 for 33 for Pakistan in 1996, both exploiting the bounce to restrict the hosts below 200.[60] Economy rates have been challenging, with pacers like Johnson maintaining figures under 4 runs per over in multiple outings, underscoring the ground's reputation for favoring seamers over spinners, who have rarely taken more than 3 wickets in an innings.

Partnership records

The highest partnership for any wicket is 200 for the second wicket between Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden for Australia against Zimbabwe in 2003, setting the foundation for a 256-run victory as Australia posted 302 for 8.[61] For the first wicket, the record is 94 between Sanath Jayasuriya and Jehan Mubarak for Sri Lanka against Australia in 2006, though it ended in a 96-run defeat.[61] Other key stands include 191 for the first wicket by Simon Katich and Adam Gilchrist against Zimbabwe in 2003 and 189 for the first by Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh against England in 1999, both contributing to Australia's unchallenged totals exceeding 300.[61] These partnerships highlight the venue's potential for explosive opening or early recoveries, often deciding close contests.

Twenty20 International records

The WACA Ground has hosted two men's Twenty20 International matches, both featuring Australia as one of the teams, with each side securing one victory. The venue's fast outfield and true bounce have favored high-scoring encounters in this format, though the limited number of games means records are sparse.[62] In batting records, Australia posted the highest team total of 186/6 against New Zealand on 11 December 2007, driven by Andrew Symonds' unbeaten 85 off 54 balls, which remains the highest individual score at the ground in T20Is. New Zealand replied with 132 all out, the lowest total recorded, as Australia won by 54 runs; notable contributions included Shane Watson's 34 and Matthew Hayden's 26 in an opening stand of 47. The second match saw Australia struggle to 133/8 against Sri Lanka on 31 October 2010, with Brad Haddin topping the scores with 24; Sri Lanka chased the target in 16.3 overs for 135/3, led by Mahela Jayawardene's unbeaten 61 off 37 balls—the second-highest individual score—and Tillakaratne Dilshan's 24, securing a 7-wicket win. No sub-100 totals have been recorded, but the 2010 Australian innings highlights the venue's potential for low scores under pressure.[63][64] Bowling records reflect the format's brevity and the ground's batsman-friendly conditions, with economical spells standing out over wicket hauls. The best figures are 3/22 by Suraj Randiv of Sri Lanka against Australia in 2010, including the wickets of David Warner, Cameron White, and Mitchell Johnson during the powerplay and middle overs. In the 2007 match, James Hopes claimed 2/21 for Australia, dismissing key New Zealand batsmen like Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor, while Mitchell Johnson took 2/23; for New Zealand, Mark Gillespie and Jeetan Patel each took 2 wickets, with Gillespie conceding 39 runs. Death-over specialists like Ben Hilfenhaus (1/18 in 2007) have been effective, but no four-wicket hauls have occurred. Overall, spinners like Randiv have found some turn on the pitch, contrasting the seam-friendly conditions.[64][63] Team records show Australia with one win from two matches (50% success rate), matching Sri Lanka's record; New Zealand lost their sole appearance. The highest successful chase is Sri Lanka's 135/3 in 2010, at a run rate of 8.20. No super overs have been needed. Partnership records include the highest for any wicket as Symonds and Michael Clarke's 64 for the fourth in 2007, while the highest opening stand is 47 by Watson and Hayden in the same game; for Sri Lanka, Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews added 43 for the third wicket in 2010. Six-hitting has been moderate, with a total of 11 sixes across both matches—Symonds hit 4 in 2007.[63][64]

Notable events

International cricket milestones

The WACA Ground hosted its inaugural Test match from 11 to 16 December 1970, featuring Australia against England, which concluded in a draw after England scored 397 and 123, while Australia replied with 440 and 100 for 3.[65] In that game, Greg Chappell made his Test debut for Australia and scored a century with 108 runs from number seven, launching a distinguished international career that included 7,110 Test runs.[66] The venue's final Test was the third Ashes match against England from 14 to 18 December 2017, where England chased 106 to win by 4 wickets after Australia scored 442 and 263, with England replying 403 and 106 for 6.[67] One Day International cricket arrived at the WACA on 9 December 1980 with the first match between India and New Zealand, where India scored 162 all out, with New Zealand dismissed for 157 to lose by 5 runs.[65] The ground's Twenty20 International debut occurred on 11 December 2007, with Australia defeating New Zealand by 54 runs after posting 186/6, highlighted by Luke Pomersbach's 49-ball 73. Women's T20Is began at the venue on 3 February 2016 during the Sri Lanka tour, where Australia chased 116 to win by 5 wickets.[68] Iconic performances abound, including the 1974–75 Ashes second Test at the WACA, where Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson combined for 12 wickets across both innings—Lillee 7/75 and Thomson 5/114—propelling Australia to an innings victory and intimidating England's batsmen with raw pace.[69] Shane Warne's near-miss of a Test century in 2001 against New Zealand added flair, as he scored 99 runs from 157 balls in the first innings, rescuing Australia from 157/8 to reach 351 all out.[70] International crowds peaked around 24,000 for day-one attendances, such as the 24,296 spectators during the 2006 Ashes Test against England.[71]

Non-cricket and domestic events

The WACA Ground has long served as a premier venue for domestic cricket in Western Australia, hosting numerous significant matches across various formats. In the Sheffield Shield, the ground was the site of Western Australia's victory in the 1997-98 final against Tasmania, where the home side secured a seven-wicket win to claim the title. More recently, the WACA hosted the 2021-22 final, in which Western Australia ended a 23-year drought by defeating Victoria, highlighted by Aaron Hardie's unbeaten 174 that batted the opposition out of contention. The venue continues to stage key domestic fixtures, including the opening rounds of the 2025-26 Sheffield Shield season, such as Western Australia's draw against South Australia in October 2025.[72][73][74] Since the inception of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) in 2015, the Perth Scorchers Women have made the WACA their primary home ground, hosting regular season games and playoffs that draw strong local crowds. Notable examples include their 2015-16 season opener against the Brisbane Heat and subsequent high-scoring encounters, such as the 192/4 total posted in a 2020 match, underscoring the ground's role in fostering women's T20 cricket. Complementing this, the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) features Western Australia Women routinely playing home fixtures at the WACA, with the 2025-26 season kicking off there against Queensland in a day-night clash on September 24. Among domestic achievements, the ground is known for high team totals in first-class cricket, reflecting its reputation for batsman-friendly conditions in interstate matches.[75][76][77] Beyond cricket, the WACA has a rich history of hosting non-cricket sports, beginning with athletic meets in the 1890s shortly after its establishment in 1890, when it served as a central venue for track and field events that helped build Western Australia's early sporting culture. In Australian rules football, the ground accommodated West Australian Football League (WAFL) matches during the early 1900s and later hosted games for clubs like East Perth in 1988-89, totaling 72 AFL/WAFL fixtures over its lifespan. Rugby trials and exhibitions have also featured prominently, including Western Australia's rugby union clash against Wales in 1991 and a 2001 match versus the British and Irish Lions, while early rugby league games were played there from the 1880s to 1920s. Baseball exhibitions occurred as well, notably the 1955 National Night Baseball Series hosted by Western Australia at the WACA from December 28-30. Looking ahead, post-2025 redevelopment plans position the venue as a multi-sport hub with a 10,000-seat capacity, incorporating facilities for diverse athletic activities alongside cricket.[78][79][80][81][6] The WACA has also been a stage for cultural and community events, including rock concerts that attracted large audiences in the late 20th century. While specific performances by bands like INXS and Midnight Oil were part of broader Australian tours, the venue hosted similar high-profile acts, contributing to its evolution as an entertainment space. Special occasions, such as New Year's Eve celebrations, have included events like the 2019 Seasons NYE party featuring Cosmo's Midnight, complete with fireworks displays visible from the ground. In late 2025, following redevelopment milestones, the WACA is projected to host around 36 community events, anticipating over 281,000 attendees through concerts, festivals, and public gatherings that leverage its central location. Additionally, 2025 announcements highlighted the integration of non-sporting community uses, including The Pavilion—a new aquatic and health centre operated by BlueFit, announced in August to provide rehabilitation and fitness services overlooking the ground.[82][83][21]

Additional facilities

WA Cricket Museum

The WA Cricket Museum, situated within the Members' Stand at the WACA Ground in Perth, Western Australia, was established to preserve and showcase the state's cricketing heritage.[84] As part of the extensive 2025 redevelopment of the WACA Ground, the museum is undergoing significant expansion to enhance its facilities and accessibility, integrating modern preservation techniques while maintaining its historical integrity; the project is nearing completion as of November 2025.[85] Entry remains free for WACA members, with ticketed access available to the general public, allowing broader engagement with Western Australia's cricket legacy.[86] The museum's collections comprise over 5,000 artifacts that chronicle more than a century of cricket in the region, including Dennis Lillee's iconic bowling boots from his Test career, Brad Hogg's signed cap representing his contributions to Western Australian and international cricket, and rare historical scorebooks dating back to 1893.[87] These items are complemented by interactive displays highlighting prominent WA cricketers, such as Victor Trumper's early influences on the game and the Marsh family's multi-generational impact, from Rodney Marsh's wicketkeeping prowess to Shaun and Mitchell Marsh's all-round achievements.[88] The collection emphasizes authentic memorabilia that captures pivotal moments, avoiding exhaustive listings in favor of representative pieces that illustrate the evolution of cricket techniques and player legacies. Exhibits within the museum feature a comprehensive timeline tracing the WACA's development from its foundational years to contemporary milestones, alongside a dedicated section on women's cricket that spotlights trailblazers and growing participation in the sport.[89] Visitors can engage with virtual reality simulations recreating famous matches, such as iconic Test encounters at the ground, providing immersive insights into strategies and atmospheres. Annual updates incorporate recent memorabilia, ensuring the displays remain dynamic and reflective of ongoing cricketing narratives.[90] Prior to the 2025 redevelopment, the museum welcomed over 10,000 visitors annually, fostering a deep appreciation for cricket's cultural role in Western Australia.[91] It supports educational programs tailored for school groups, offering guided tours and workshops that align with Cricket Australia's broader heritage initiatives, thereby educating younger generations on the sport's historical and social significance.[92]

Aquatics centre and community hub

The Aquatics Centre and community hub at WACA Ground, known as The Pavilion, represents a key component of the venue's 2025 redevelopment, transforming part of the historic site into a multi-use wellness precinct. The facility is scheduled to open in early 2026, with the broader redevelopment nearing completion in late 2025. Initially outlined in project plans during 2024, with operator tenders issued in October, the facility received a significant funding boost through an additional $15 million allocation from the Western Australian Government in May 2025, as part of the broader $99.7 million state investment in the WACA Ground Improvement Project. This addition supports the integration of resort-style aquatic and health amenities directly adjacent to the stadium, enhancing year-round community access while complementing the venue's sporting functions. The hub's design emphasizes inclusivity and vibrancy, drawing on partnerships between WA Cricket, the City of Perth, and private operators to create a space that overlooks the cricket ground and promotes physical activity for diverse users.[93][17][94][95][96] The Pavilion features a state-of-the-art 50-meter outdoor pool with six lanes, designed for lap swimming, competitive training, and leisurely use, framed by views of the WACA stadium. Complementing this is a 25-meter indoor learn-to-swim pool, water slides integrated around a historic light tower, and a family-oriented splash pad with interactive aquatic play areas. Health and wellness facilities include a fully equipped gymnasium, group fitness studios for classes such as aqua aerobics, and dedicated spaces for therapy and recovery, all aimed at supporting both recreational and elite athletic needs. These elements form a cohesive resort-style environment, with an all-abilities playground and public café named Wirin adding to the family-friendly appeal. The centre's layout ensures seamless integration with the surrounding precinct, allowing users to enjoy stadium events from poolside vantage points during matches.[95][19][97][94] As a public-oriented hub, The Pavilion operates year-round, offering programs like structured swimming lessons for children and adults through BlueFit Swimming, alongside elite training opportunities in the Olympic-standard pools. Managed by BlueFit in collaboration with WA Cricket and the City of Perth, the facility prioritizes community engagement, with initiatives to foster health and social connections in East Perth. Accessibility is a core focus, incorporating features such as ramped pathways for wheelchair users, an inclusive splash pad suitable for all abilities, sensory rooms, and adaptive equipment to ensure broad participation. This multi-use approach ties into the WACA's evolution as a versatile venue, supporting non-cricket activities while contributing to the Perth City Deal's goals for liveable urban spaces.[98][21][99][100][19][95]

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  32. A guide to the WACA | ESPNcricinfo
  33. https://artsandculture.google.com/story/historical-timeline-waca/FwVhZ2FZ9By5IQ
  34. WACA Test pitch a cracker - The West Australian
  35. Most wickets in Tests at AUS: WACA Ground, Perth - ESPNcricinfo
  36. https://www.miragenews.com/perth-bears-find-new-home-at-waca-and-waterbank-1562312/
  37. Iconic WACA Ground light towers to be upgraded and beaming colour
  38. WACA Ground - ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, 2025
  39. Topping Out ceremony at WACA development - Coliseum
  40. WACA Ground names inclusive 'Karda Playspace' in new ... - cricexec
  41. Result summary in Tests at AUS: WACA Ground, Perth
  42. Mulder moves to fifth - Five highest individual scores in Test cricket ...
  43. Highest totals in Tests at AUS: WACA Ground, Perth - ESPNcricinfo
  44. Lowest totals in Tests at AUS: WACA Ground, Perth
  45. Best bowling figures in an innings in Tests at AUS: WACA Ground ...
  46. https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/ground/bowling-best-figures-match/aus-w-a-c-a-ground-perth-213/test-matches-1
  47. AUS vs SA Cricket Scorecard, 1st Test at Perth, December 17
  48. List of match results (by season) in Tests at AUS: WACA Ground, Perth
  49. Highest partnerships in Tests at AUS: WACA Ground, Perth
  50. Result summary in ODIs at AUS: WACA Ground, Perth
  51. List of match results (by season) in ODIs at AUS: WACA Ground, Perth
  52. Highest totals in ODIs at AUS: WACA Ground, Perth - ESPNcricinfo
  53. Lowest totals in ODIs at AUS: WACA Ground, Perth - ESPNcricinfo
  54. High scores in ODIs at AUS: WACA Ground, Perth - ESPNcricinfo
  55. Best bowling figures in an innings in ODIs at AUS: WACA Ground ...
  56. Highest partnerships in ODIs at AUS: WACA Ground, Perth
  57. WACA Ground, Perth - Team Match Results - ESPNcricinfo
  58. AUS vs NZ Cricket Scorecard, Only T20I at Perth, December 11, 2007
  59. AUS vs SL Cricket Scorecard, Only T20I at Perth, October 31, 2010
  60. W.A.C.A. Ground Records and Stats | ESPNcricinfo
  61. A guide to the WACA - ESPN
  62. AUS vs ENG Cricket Scorecard, 2nd Test at Perth, December 13
  63. Warne down as Kiwis clutch valuable lead - ESPNcricinfo
  64. WACA Ground Crowds | Austadiums
  65. Sheffield Shield final: All you need to know | cricket.com.au
  66. Western Australia break 23-year Sheffield Shield drought as final ...
  67. Women's Big Bash League 2015/16 - Cricket Schedule & Results
  68. Highest totals in at AUS: WACA Ground, Perth
  69. WNCL 2025-26: All you need to know | cricket.com.au
  70. WACA Ground & Stands - Heritage Council of WA - Places Database
  71. All WACA Ground appearances - Rugby Database
  72. history through the decades - HistoryofWARL.com.au -
  73. 1955 Western Australian Night Series Baseball Team - Collections WA
  74. WACA Ground, Perth, Australia Concert Setlists
  75. Seasons NYE: WACA Ground ft. Cosmo's Midnight - Facebook
  76. WACA Ground Museum
  77. Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) - Ground Tours And ...
  78. Small Museums - Historic Heart of Perth
  79. Howzat! Governor tours the WACA Museum
  80. The WACA Museum, Perth - GPSmyCity
  81. https://wacaground.com.au/experience/waca-ground-tour-and-museum/
  82. WACA Ground Museum (2025) - Airial Travel
  83. WACA GROUND (2025) All You Should Know BEFORE You Go (w
  84. WACA Museum | Australian Museums and Galleries
  85. Operator sought for new WACA Ground Aquatic Centre and Health ...
  86. Major announcement for world-class aquatic and health hub at the ...
  87. The Pavilion WACA Ground | Perth's Premier Aquatic & Health ...
  88. September 13, 2024 - Built Environment Collective
  89. Learn to Swim | Swim Lessons & Programs at The Pavilion WACA ...
  90. The WACA's new world-class Aquatic and Health Centre now has a ...
  91. Name Revealed For New All-Abilities Playground At WACA Ground
  92. AUS-W vs IND-W Cricket Scorecard, 3rd ODI at Perth, December 11, 2024
  93. Australia v India Test - Women Series
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