Perth Ashes tickets to go belatedly on sale

Tickets for the Perth Ashes Test will belatedly go on sale at the end of July after unsuccessful efforts to have the match staged at the city's new multi-purpose stadium rather than the unpopular WACA Ground.

As recently as May, CA's chief executive James Sutherland had expressed hope that the match could be played at the new stadium located in Burswood, but cricket administrators admitted defeat after meetings with stadium management and the Western Australian government.

That left tickets to be organised for the WACA instead, which has hosted Ashes matches dating back to the ground's very first Test in 1970-71. "The Perth Test holds a special place in the summer of cricket and in an Ashes year we are expecting capacity crowds at the WACA throughout the Test," Sutherland said.

"We know that many fans, both in Western Australia and abroad, are eagerly awaiting this Test and are keen to secure their place so we are pleased to be announcing an on-sale date for tickets to the match.

"Given the strong demand we expect to see for this match we urge people to purchase their tickets early to avoid disappointment, and only purchase from the official ticket agency to ensure they obtain a valid ticket for the official ticket price."

Christina Matthews, the WACA chief executive, said the match now afforded the opportunity to celebrate the ground's Ashes history. "There is a rich history and tradition for Western Australians associated with attending the Ashes Test matches at the WACA Ground, with plenty of wonderful memories along the way," she said.

"This summer's Test represents a unique opportunity to celebrate one final Ashes Test match at the WACA Ground. We anticipate tickets will be in high demand as fans will want to secure their piece of history, so we encourage people to purchase their tickets early to avoid disappointment."

Tickets will be on sale to preregistered fans on July 31, then WACA members from August 3 and the general public from August 4.