The $10 million question that could see Perth miss out on future Tests as revenue forecasts revealed

WA could miss out on hosting rights for future test cricket series as revenue predictions cast a shadow over the newly revamped West Test. Cricket Australia and state associations are currently negotiating hosting rights to future test matches, however Perth may have an uphill battle as revenue projections were released. Reports in the Sydney Morning Herald claim Perth is projected to generate just $11 million of revenue over the next five years from Test matches. Unsurprisingly, that is well below the forecasts for Melbourne’s Boxing Day and Sydney’s New Year’s Test at $32 million and $27 million, respectively. More worryingly is Adelaide, a city far more comparable to Perth in terms of population size, is projected to bring in $21 million almost double that of Perth. Revenue forecasts will play a big role in deciding who gets future Test matches, however the planned demolition and rebuilding of the Gabba in Queensland, to commence in 2025, could see Perth remain in the frame for the time being. Earlier this week, outgoing WA Cricket chief executive Christina Matthews hit back at criticism of crowds from eastern state media. A total of 59,125 punters rolled through Optus Stadium for the four days of the Test. “We would have liked a few more, but if you look at it historically, it was 30 or 40 per cent above what we have ever had for Pakistan in a Test match before,” she told The West Australian. “Obviously the pitch and the ground were really good, the atmosphere around the public was really good, our members attendance was pretty good, so I think overall we are pretty happy with it. “It is kind of the first stage of trying to build the Test match into an event.” There is also a concerted effort to give The West Test its own identity akin to Boxing Day with Matthew’s floating the idea of it becoming a celebration of Aboriginal culture, like a version of Dreamtime at the ‘G for the AFL. “Aboriginal cricket history is strong in the state,” she said on the ABC. “Why not make that the unique thing about this Test?”

The $10 million question that could see Perth miss out on future Tests as revenue forecasts revealed

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