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Perth eyes Boxing Day, New Year's Tests

The chief executive of Perth's $1.6 billion Optus Stadium is interested in a deal to host either the Boxing Day Test or the New Year's Day Test.

The head of Perth's new Optus Stadium is reportedly keen to poach either the MCG's Boxing Day Test or the SCG's New Year's Day Test.

The $1.6 billion venue's chief executive Mike McKenna says he's very keen for talks about hosting the events, with Cricket Australia's deal with the MCG expiring at the end of the summer and their deal with the SCG set to run out in 2022.

"If the opportunity comes to talk to us, we would be very keen to have those conversations," McKenna told The Age.

"We are always talking behind the scenes. We had a very good conversation with Cricket Australia and we know what the timings are and what the opportunities are."

McKenna said if iconic sporting events like the Boxing Day or New Year's Day Tests were to become available, the WA government would be keen to assist.

"It's a decision for them (CA) but we as a venue, we are here to host the biggest and best events and if the opportunity came to host the Boxing Day Test here, or even the New Year's Test, we would be all over it," he added.

"We are definitely keen to attract as many iconic events.

''If we could get an iconic cricket date - Australia Day has worked really well for SACA (the South Australian Cricket Association) over the years. Things have now become a bit more fluid, so it's those sorts of dates.''


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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