WACA: GROUND & SPECTATOR GUIDE

Built: 1890

The WACA Ground is situated in Perth, Western Australia, and is predominantly used for cricket and Australia Rules football.

It will host five group fixtures at the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup and holds 20,000 people. 

The WACA has been Western Australia’s home since 1899.

Although first-class cricket has been played there ever since, the ground did not host its first Test match until 1970 when England came to visit. The teams could not be separated as Kent’s Brian Luckhurst became the first man to score a Test ton at the WACA.

The ground has witnessed some memorable innings over the years. On his Test debut in 1995, Ricky Ponting hit 96 against Sri Lanka to announce himself as an international cricketer. Seventeen years later, In Ponting’s final Test, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers smashed centuries as South Africa hammered Australia by 309 runs.

One of the ground’s most famous innings came in 1992 when an 18-year-old Sachin Tendulkar tamed Craig McDermott and Merv Hughes on one of the quickest wickets in the world to score 114. Many still regard it as one of Tendulkar’s finest knocks. And it is hard to forget Adam Gilchrist’s stunning century against England in December 2006, scoring it off just 57 deliveries.

Two women have scored Test centuries at the WACA, both coming in the same match. In December 1984, Jan Brittin’s knock of 112 for England was followed up by Jill Kennare hitting 103 to help Australia seal a draw. More recently, Meg Lanning scored 104 to help Australia hammer their oldest rivals by nine wickets.

The bowlers have enjoyed plenty of success at the WACA, too. Glenn McGrath picked up a hat-trick against West Indies in December 2000, while in 2013, Ryan Harris delivered what has been described as the “ball of the century” when his perfect in-swinger knocked over Alastair Cook with the first ball of the innings.

In 2017, the WACA was retired from all men’s international cricket as a new 60,000-seater stadium opened up just down the road - later to be named as Optus Stadium. Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith all scored centuries in a fitting farewell. However, the stadium remains part of the women’s game and will host its maiden WT20I as the World Cup arrives in Perth. 

Address: WACA Ground, Gate 2, Nelson Crescent East Perth 6004, Western Australia

Train: Perth train station, located on Wellington Street, is just a four-minute drive from the WACA or a 25-minute walk, if you prefer.

Parking: The nearest public car park to the ground is Queens Garden Car Park, located along Nelson Crescent. Street parking is also available along Nelson Crescent. More information regarding parking in Perth can be found by clicking here.

Bus: The TransPerth CAT buses are free for all visitors to the WACA. The Perth Red CAT bus stop is located on Nelson Crescent, while the Perth Yellow CAT bus stop can be found on Waterloo Crescent. A timetable can be found by clicking here. A map can be found by clicking here.

Taxi: There is a designated pick up and drop off taxi and Uber zone located on Nelson Crescent.

Cycle: There is not a secure lock-up area inside the ground for cycles. There are racks located in Queens Gardens Car Park, however.

PLAYING CONDITIONS

The WACA is renowned for being one of the quickest pitches in the world and will test the batter’s ability to play pace. Spinners will need to generate extra bounce if they are to succeed. 

Take in the views of the Perth skyline while dinning on the edge of Matilda Bay ($50-$100)

3 Hackett Drive, Crawley, Perth, Western Australia, 6009

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C Restaurant

Dine 33 floors high and enjoy a panoramic view of the city in Perth’s only revolving restaurant ($90-$150)

Level 33, 44 St Georges Terrace, Perth, Western Australia, 6000

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Pretzel

Enjoy the finest pretzels Perth has to offer ($5-$15)

Northbridge, 49 James Street Northbridge, Perth, Western Australia, 6003

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My Bayon

Superb Asian food at a reasonable price ($20-$40)

313 William Street, Northbridge, Perth, Western Australia, 6003

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Tuck Shop Café

Make sure you visit one of Perth’s best cafes ($10-£30)

178 Newcastle Street, Perth, Western Australia, 6000

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WHAT TO DO NEARBY

Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Explore one of the world’s largest and most picturesque inner-city parks (free)

Fraser Avenue, Perth, Western Australia 6005

The Bell Tower

This unique tower gives you a fascinating insight into the history of bells (from £10)

Barrack Square, Swan River Foreshore, Corner Riverside Drive & Barrack Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000

Art Gallery of Western Australia

Enjoy the best art Western Australia has to offer, dating back to 1829 (free)

James Street Mall Via Roe Street, Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge, Perth, Western Australia 6003

WHAT TO DO NEARBY

Swan River

This stunning waterway winds its way from the Darling Scarp to Fremantle (free)

Riverside Drive, Perth City Foreshore, Perth, Western Australia 6000

Scitech

An educational science centre located in the heart of Perth (free)

Sutherland Street, West Perth, Perth, Western Australia 6005, Australia

The Guinness World Record for the highest basketball shot was recorded at the WACA in 2011. The ball was thrown from the top of a floodlight and landed straight in the basket 70 metres below.