Magazine - Subiacio Oval Touted for Twenty20 Matches

By Editor in Cricket on 16th Feb 2010 9:20

WA cricket chief executive Graeme Wood has not ruled out holding an interstate Twenty20 clash at Subiaco Oval as early as next summer.

With doubts on the future of traditional one-day games, local cricket powerbrokers are expected to consider interstate matches at Subiaco as a prelude to international fixtures at the home of football. Wood said big-drawing games at football headquarters remained on WA cricket's agenda. "It's always been on the agenda and we want to maintain cricket at the WACA," he said.

"But if there was an opportunity, in particular with the short form of the game, and we could have a game that is way over our capacity at the WACA, sure we'd have to consider the option of a new stadium or a revamped Subiaco Oval."

But Wood said it was unlikely an Ashes ODI would be switched to Subiaco next February despite a drawing capacity of more than double any attendance at the WACA. "I'm not sure if we've got the time frame to do an international by next summer," he said. "But with the growth of T20 - we've seen what's happened with domestic T20s - it would be silly for us not to entertain all of the opportunities available."

It is understood some influential sections of WA cricket management want Australia's one-day international against England switched to Subiaco with prospects of a cash boon from a 44,000 full house.

WA Football Commission chief Wayne Bradshaw said the door was always open to cricket matches at Subiaco. "We want content for our venue and we think cricket can be played at Subiaco Oval," he said. "We think we can provide a win-win for Cricket Australia, the WACA and for us in terms of hosting a cricket.
A significant consideration for WACA authorities to hold a limited-overs game at Subiaco Oval would be access to a drop-in pitch.

The WACA has its own drop-in strip in Broome.

It is also understood there is at least one other pitch in hiding in Perth's southern suburbs and capable of being transported and lifted into Subi Oval if needed.

Source & More: www.perthnow.com.au

Read more articles in Cricket, by Editor or from February 2010.