WACA to host Ashes Test for final time

The WACA ground in Perth

The iconic WACA Ground will be an Ashes venue for the final time in December as the new stadium in Perth will not be ready in time for the third Test between Australia and England.

Cricket Australia (CA) had hoped the 60,000-capacity Perth Stadium would be finished by the time the two rivals are due to do battle in Western Australia.

However, the Western Australia government has confirmed that it will be the famous WACA rather than the Burswood venue where the two rivals will do battle from December 14-18.

"It's good now we have some certainty around where the Perth Test match is going to be played," CA chief executive James Sutherland said on Wednesday.

"We received advice yesterday in meetings with government... that the new Perth stadium would not be ready in time for the Perth Ashes Test.

"Coming to Perth, we knew it needed to be finished ahead of time and everything needed to come together, but it's still disappointing. We were really hoping the Test match could be played at this magnificent new stadium.

"Nonetheless there's lots to look forward to with tickets to go on sale very shortly."

Sutherland revealed that Australia and England could still face each other in the new state-of-the-art stadium in a one-day international on January 28.

"Part of the good news is there's still a very strong chance the one-day international will be played at the new Perth Stadium," Sutherland said.

"At this stage it is probably unlikely any of the BBL [Big Bash League] or WBBL [Women's Big Bash League] matches will be played at the new stadium.

"There is a slight chance the final could be played at the new Perth Stadium, let's wait and see with that."