The Western Australia Cricket Association has banned membership applications from England fans wanting to join before the Ashes series. Tony Dodemaide, the WACA chief executive, confirmed the move today that allows only Australian residents to apply in a bid to boost home-grown supporters.

Cricket Australia is trying to ensure locals are not out-numbered by tourists during the Ashes with predictions of up to 40,000 people planning to travel Down Under. More than 1000 applications have been received by the WACA this summer, including a host of requests from England to ensure seats for the Perth Test in December, and Dodemaide said the membership level would be capped at 7500.

"Although we haven't been inundated with overseas applications, we want to make sure that we are looking after Australian cricket supporters first," Dodemaide said. The WACA processed 200 requests in the past week and Dodemaide expected the cap to be reached by Thursday.

"The level of interest has been incredible," Dodemaide said. "Whilst it is a shame to defer interest, we're delighted to be in the situation of starting a waitlist as has long been the case at other grounds like Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney."