WACA announce second Test venue

Australia's blockbuster Test matches against India, England, and South Africa are set to be moved from the WACA Ground to the new Perth Stadium under a new plan.

As recommended by the West Australian Cricket Association's Vision 2030 report, international limited-overs games and Test matches involving South Africa, India, and England are to be moved to the new $1.2 billion stadium at Burswood, which will be completed by 2018 and have a 60,000-seat capacity.

The WACA board have already approved the plans.

Big Bash League matches will also be moved from the WACA to Burswood.

The WACA will still host Sheffield Shield matches, and Test and one-day internationals not involving South Africa, England, and India.

The WACA will also be developed into a boutique ground with a capacity between 10,000-15,000 people, and is set to host WAFL matches under its new plan.

The redevelopment is set to cost between $150-200 million.

WACA chairman Sam Gannon said redeveloping the WACA into a boutique ground - and moving blockbuster matches to the new Burswood stadium - was critical for the survival of the WACA Ground.

"To do nothing was not an option," Gannon said.

“We now have the opportunity to showcase the best of world and domestic cricket at two modern stadiums, providing players and spectators with facilities expected for modern sport."

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said the game’s peak body strongly supported the Vision 2030 blueprint.

“The strategy for Australian cricket is all about putting fans first and that’s exactly what this move will do. It will provide cricket with world-class facilities for patrons and players and further strengthen our position as Australia’s favourite sport,” Sutherland said.

“Having two world-class cricket grounds will be a tremendous boost for Australian and Western Australian cricket.”

WACA chief executive Christina Matthews predicted it would take about 10 years to complete all stages of the redevelopment.

Matthews guaranteed the iconic WACA pitches wouldn't be dug up to accommodate football being played at the ground.

And she said plans would soon be in place to develop a drop-in pitch for the new Perth Stadium that would replicate the unique characteristics of the fast and bouncy WACA wicket.

The release of the Vision 2030 reportfollows the resignation of Dennis Lillee as president of the West Australian Cricket Association.

"I cannot stand by and watch what is happening at the WACA," Lillee told the West Australian.

"I do not wish to be part of it any longer."

Lillee's resignation ended an 11-year stint at the helm of West Australian cricket, while current chairman Gannon, who also started in his role in 2004, announced last month he would not seek re-election.

“Dennis’ resignation did come as a surprise, however, I was previously aware that he was contemplating resigning from the Board prior to the end of his elected term,” Gannon said.

“I also reviewed my position after 11 years on the Board and thought it was an appropriate time to step aside and, accordingly, have not offered myself for re-election at this month’s AGM (on September 23).

“The Board will seek to get some clarification from Dennis on his specific concerns and we will continue to work openly with our members, staff and the media in regards to all appropriate information, as has been the WACA’s deliberate approach throughout my time as Chairman.”

WACA chief executive Christina Matthews said she had a healthy working relationship with Lillee.

"We got on fine," Matthews said at a press conference today (Wednesday). "We've never had any stand-up barneys or not talked to each other or anything like that.

"There's always differences of opinions on how you do things but, other than that, it was fine.

"I was surprised, as was everyone this morning. There had been some discussions around the traps that he wouldn't see out his full term, but we had no indication he would be stepping down today.

"There was nothing in the note he sent to us about why."