Covid-19 Could Cause Perth to Host South Africa vs Australia Test Series
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In this article, we look at the likelihood that Covid-19 concerns could cause South Africa’s three home Tests scheduled for February and March 2021 to be held at a neutral venue. Some media outlets suggest that the neutral venue could be Perth in Western Australia.
The following chart lists the schedule of remaining matches in the Test championship:
Covid-19 Outbreak in Bio-Secure Bubble in Cape Town
p>After a Covid-19 outbreak in a bio-secure bubble at their hotel in Cape Town caused England to call off their tour of South Africa midway last week, there is a question mark over South Africa’s ability to host the three-match Test series against Australia scheduled by the ICC as part of the World Test Championship.
Perth a Possible Venue
Australia are scheduled to play three Test matches in South Africa between 14 February and 13 March 2021. South Africa also have a home-series against Sri Lanka at the end of 2020. Both these series are unlikely to be played in South Africa. Media reports suggest that Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Cricket Australia (CA) have agreed to play the Test series in Perth, Western Australia. The timings are likely to suit fans in South Africa. It will be about 8:30 a.m. in South Africa when a day-night match starts in Perth. This would suit CSA as the board could expect to earn substantially from broadcast rights and revenues.
Wicket at Perth Similar to Ones in South Africa
Perth would also be a suitable venue from Australia’s perspective as there has been no game at the WACA this season due to the ongoing pandemic. A one-off Test against Afghanistan had to be called off earlier in 2020. The UAE is another neutral venue that has been considered. Pakistan have used the UAE as their home venue for six years. Recently, the IPL was held in the UAE in a bio-secure setting. However, the WACA has a wicket with a similar pace and bounce as the ones in South Africa and that could prove to be the clincher as the bowling lineups of both teams are dominated by pacers.
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Covid-19 Under Control in Western Australia
dditionally, Western Australia has the coronavirus situation under control, without any cases reported in two weeks. The state, which had very strict quarantine rules in place, closed its borders when the first case was reported in January 2020. Only a week ago did Western Australia open its borders for Victoria and New South Wales.
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South Africa Have Enviable Test Record at Perth
outh Africa have enjoyed a great record at the WACA without a single loss recorded at the venue. In 2008, they chased down a target of 414 on the back of tons by De Villiers and Graeme Smith, setting a record for the second highest chase in a Test match. The Proteas have emerged on top in three consecutive Test series in Australia, winning in 2008/09, 2012/13 and 2016/17. They registered their first home series win against Australia in 48 years on Australia’s tour of South Africa in 2018, a series in which Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were involved in the infamous “sandpapergate” scandal.
