South Australia will host the second Ashes
Test in Adelaide starting December 16, while Perth may have to endure a summer
without Test cricket. An announcement on the fifth Test is imminent, with
Western Australia’s strict border policy set to cost Perth’s Optus Stadium the
series finale.

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Considering Perth’s difficulty in hosting
the fifth Test due to a strict quarantine policy, Western Australia’s sports
ministry Tony Buti attempted to bring the second Test to Perth, pushing for a
swap with Adelaide.

Buti said Adelaide could host the
series finale next month, allowing time for their limits on crowds to ease as
part of the state’s own current COVID-19 outbreak. That suggestion was promptly
shut down by the South Australian Cricket Association on Monday morning,
reported Reuters.

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“The second Ashes Test will proceed at
Adelaide Oval in 10 days’ time,” acting chief executive Jodie Newton said. “There
has been no suggestion that a schedule change for the Adelaide Test will be
considered. The Adelaide day-night Test is the biggest annual event in South
Australia, and no tour is bigger than the Ashes.”

Though an official announcement has not
been made yet, Cricket Australia is expected to announce a new venue for the
fifth Test. As per reports, either Hobart or Melbourne could be picked as the
venue for the series finale.

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Meanwhile, Sydney Cricket Ground and Manuka
Oval have also joined the bid to host the fifth Test.

WA is slated to host one other
international this summer, with an ODI involving New Zealand on 30 January.
That series-opener would also likely be subject to biosecurity arrangements.

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It came after the WACA ground was due to
host the women’s Test between India and Australia in October before it was
moved to Queensland. A one-off Test between Afghanistan and Australia was
postponed last year due to COVID.