Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland wants the first event at the new 60,000-seat Perth Stadium to be a blockbuster Ashes Test.

The $1.2 billion venue was initially set to open in time for the 2018 AFL season.

But with construction well ahead of schedule, there's a chance an Ashes Test could open the Stadium in late 2017.

Sutherland toured the Perth Stadium on Monday, and he was due to meet with Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett to discuss the prospect of holding an Ashes Test there next year.

However, the AFL and Football Australia are also pushing to have their codes open the stadium.

A blockbuster clash between AFL WA rivals West Coast and Fremantle is on the cards.

But FFA are pushing to have the Socceroos open the venue with either a clash against England or Argentina.

Sutherland feels cricket deserves the right to open the venue - if it's ready in time.

"Given that for nearly 50 years cricket has been scheduling international sport here in Perth before any other sport, it would be entirely appropriate for the first ever major event to be at the Perth Stadium," Sutherland said.

"I don't see any reason why the first three or four days wouldn't be a sellout."

WACA chief executive Christina Matthews says the new drop-in pitch being developed for the Perth Stadium is also ahead of schedule.

 

Source : au.news.yahoo.com

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