Mitch drops in to his happy hunting ground
Star Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson admits it will be sad to see Test matches moved away from the WACA, but he knows it will ultimately benefit the game.
EYE ON THE BALL: Paceman Mitchell Johnson during the fifth and final day of the first Trans-Tasman Test.
From 2018, all blockbuster Test and one-day matches in Perth will be moved from the WACA to the new 60,000-capacity Perth Stadium.
And if the $1.4 billion venue is completed ahead of schedule, it will host an Ashes Test in late 2017 to mark its grand opening.
Johnson has achieved some of his greatest feats at the WACA, tallying 42 wickets across six Tests there at an average of 20.19.
In 2008, he sent shivers through a star-studded South African line-up by snaring career-best figures of 8-61.
Johnson, 34, is nearing the end of his decorated career, meaning he’s highly unlikely to still be playing when the drop-in pitch at the new stadium is put to use.
But as a cricket lover, he’s sad to see blockbuster matches moved away from the WACA, which has built a strong tradition for being one of the world’s fastest and bounciest wickets since hosting its first Test in 1970.
“It’s sad, I think it is a great ground to play at,” Johnson said.
“Most teams would say the same thing. It’s a great place to play cricket.
“It’s disappointing, but at the same time there’s a new stadium that’s being built and that is going to hopefully bring more people to the games.
“But it’s a difficult one because it’s a ground that I have had success at – probably my most success at.
“I remember playing my first Shield game here in the early 2000s – playing against Joey Angel and Brad Williams and remembering how quick and bouncy it was, and (seeing) the cracks and how that played…you just aren’t going to get that anywhere else.”
Warriors captain Adam Voges grew up playing at the WACA, and like Johnson will be saddened to see matches moved away from the iconic cricket venue.
“We play on a lot of drop-in wickets now and soon enough we’re going to be playing on another one. It is what it is,” Voges said.
“We understand that we need that in order for the future of the game to continue, and that’s the most important thing.
“(WACA curator) Matt Page is working his guts out to prepare a drop-in that has similar characteristics to the WACA.
“Whether that’s possible, we’ll wait and see.”
-AAP
