The WACA Cricket Ground
WACA History The WACA, (pronounced wakka) is a sports ground in Perth, Western Australiaand the initials are of its owners and operators, the Western Australian Cricket Association. It is the home of the Western Warriors. Membership is currently around 7,000. It is generally regarded as one of the quickest pitches in the world, making it a scary experience for batsmen! The ground is used primarily for cricket, however in recent years financial pressures have encouraged its use for other events such as Soccer, Rugby, Australian Rules Football, International Rules and Music Concerts. The ground is fully lit for night events.
The WACA, as an association was officially established on 
25th November 1885 under the Presidency of Mr JCH James. The WACA Ground was officially opened in 1893 with the first match played on the turf wickets in February 1894. In 1895 First Grandstand built at the WACA Ground - seating for 500 people and incorporating 4 dressing rooms, a dining room, two bathrooms, members’ rooms and bars.
The Farley Stand (demolished) - opened in 1931 – the oldest stand at the ground. Named after WJ Farley – Association President 1915-16 to 1916-17 and Secretary 1917-18 to 1928-29.
Players Pavilion (demolished) - Lower level built to provide facilities for the players and the WACA Administration in 1960’s. The seating on top was added to provide extra seating for the 1970 Perth inaugural Test Match.
The current stands were built as follows:
The “Test” or Inverarity Stand
Built in 1970 to celebrate the First Test Match (Australia v England) ever to be played at the WACA.
Prindiville Stand
Officially opened in November 1984 as the first stage of a major redevelopment of the Ground to commemorate the Centenary of the WACA in 1985. Named after Mr Bernie Prindiville, a past President of the Association, the Stand today houses the Association’s Administration and Finance Departments. The Stand also includes the President’s Room, the Willow Room, the Stump Lounge and a range of Private boxes.
Lillee Marsh Stand
Completed in 1988 as a public Stand, catering for the capacity crowds of cricket and football. Since 2002 the Lillee-Marsh Stand is reserved for the WACA Membership. The Sir Donald Bradman Room and Press/Media/Scoring facilities are housed in the upper levels of the Stand along with a series of Private/Sponsor boxes. A reception-function centre for 500 people is available in this complex. Named after former State and Australian players Dennis Lillee and Rodney Marsh with acknowledgment to the R&I for their sponsorship.
Players Pavilion
Constructed in 2002, this Pavilion stands within the Member’s enclosure and includes change rooms and social rooms for all players including the Retravision Warriors and visiting teams. The building also includes facilities for the Match Committee.
The Score Board
Built in 1954, was a donation from the North West Murchison Cricket Association. This association is some 1800 kilometres north of Perth – yet still in the State of Western Australia.
The Oval
was completely restructured in 1985 with some 20,000 tonnes of soil being removed. New wickets were laid, excellent drainage installed and some 22,000 tonnes of new soil was laid. Approximately 250,000 individual pieces of turf were laid in the ten wicket centre “square”.
The Lights
Located in 6 towers, the lights were installed and first used in 1986 and cost $4.2 million. They stand 70 metres high with an average of 138 lights in each tower and when operating cost approximately $600.00 per hour. Stairs are located on the inside.
Wickets
The wickets run true North-South.
Indoor Centre
In the North-East corner, contains 4 wickets and 2 bowling machines.
Practice wicket facilities at eastern end of ground. There are 45 individual strips up to 8 “brought-up” at any one time.
The WACA has “freehold” of the ground. Originally 29 acres – part sold to the Trotting Association in the early 1920’s.
WACA Historic Timeline
1835
First mention of the game of cricket in the Perth Gazette and WA Journal - A Perth Cricket Club was formed soon afterwards.
1846
Two other cricket clubs formed - the Guildford Club and the Tradesmen of Perth. Matches were played in the country centres of York, Bunbury, Vasse, Toodyay and Beverley in the period to 1850.
1852
First ever Fremantle vs Perth match held on the Perth Recreation Centre ground.
1878
The amalgamation of the Perth and Perth Union cricket clubs formed the Perth Metropolitan Club. This marked a turning point in the creation of the WACA Ground as it was this club which brought about the actual formation of the Western Australian Cricket Association.
1885
The WACA was officially established on November 25, with Mr JCH James as its first President.
1887
The Metropolitan Club engaged a professional coach from Victoria, Mr WF Duffy of East Melbourne.
1893
A team sailed from Albany to play matches in South Australia and Victoria. WACA Ground officially declared open in November.
1894
First match played on the WACA Ground turf wickets in February.
1895
First Grandstand built at the WACA Ground - seating for 500 people - beneath were four dressing rooms, a dining room, two bathrooms, Members' rooms and bars. The first paid secretary of the WACA, Mr H Brown of the Metropolitan Club, was appointed. His commencing salary was 100 pounds per annum.
1897
Eastern Colony teams visited WA and played at the WACA Ground. 5000 spectators attended the first days play.
1906
South Australia played at the WACA Ground.
1907
England XI played Western Australia at the WACA Ground.
NSW played at the WACA Ground.
1909
South Australia played at the WACA Ground.
1912
WA team toured the NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
1913
WA admitted to the Australian Board of Control.
1913
Country clubs permitted to affiliate with the WACA.
1914
Night Trotting introduced to the WACA.
1919
WACA ground used as an aerodrome for demonstration flights by Norman Brearley of the Royal Flying Corps. Brearley reports that despite a very small margin to spare, "I landed and took off several times without accident and only one take off did I actually pluck the electric light wires that then encircled the ground over the trotting track."
1920
Introduction of "Country Week". The Boans Ltd. Cup was won by teams from Moora and Ferguson.
1929
Trotting moved from the WACA ground to Brennan Park. (Shortly to be Gloucester Park)
1931
The Farley Stand completed as the Members' stand.
1932
Sir Donald Bradman played at the WACA Ground for the first time and attracted a crowd in excess of 20,000.
1933
E H Bromley, when selected to play for Australia in a Test Match, became the first WA representative player to achieve that honour.
1935
Trotting track removed from the WACA Ground.
1947
WA admitted to the Sheffield Shield competition on a restricted basis. Won the Shield at their first attempt.
1948
Scoreboard at the WACA destroyed by storm.
1954
Replacement scoreboard which remains today at the WACA Ground, was officially declared open in February.
1956
WA was granted full status in the Sheffield Shield competition.
1962
Prince Phillip presented the Queen's and Regimental Colours to the 1st Battalion, the Royal West Australian Regiment, at the WACA.
1968
WA, captianed by former England Test player Tony Lock, won the Sheffield Shield for the first time since obtaining full status. Over 5,000 people were at Perth Airport to welcome the victorious team back home.
1970
New Test Stand erected at the WACA Ground, assisted largely by public and Member subscription. First ever Test Match played at the WACA Ground from 11th-16th December.
1972
WA won the Sheffield Shield.
1973
WA won the Sheffield Shield.
1975
WA won the Sheffield Shield.
1977
WA won the Sheffield Shield.
1978
WA won the Sheffield Shield.
1978
First One-Day Final played in Perth. WA defeated Tasmania.
1979
Work commenced on the restoration and refurbishing of photographs and memorabilia stored at the WACA as a prelude to the establishment of a Cricket Museum at the WACA.
1981
WA won the Sheffield Shield.
1984
Record one day cricket match crowd at WACA Ground. Australia vs West Indies (27,057).
WA won the Sheffield Shield.
Sri Lankan played at the WACA Ground for the first time.
WACA Centenary Ground Redevelopment project commenced. Arena realigned and Prindiville Stand completed and declared open in November.
1985
The first official Museum Display was established at the WACA Ground in the new Prindiville Stand.
1986
WA played Victoria in a McDonald's Cup fixture as the WACA Ground's first cricket match under lights.
1987
WA won the Sheffield Shield.
Football returned to the WACA: Perth's home ground.
1988
The WACA Museum was moved to the larger venue in the Farley Stand.
East Perth Football Club home ground - shared with Perth Football Club.
Lillee Marsh Stand completed at Southern end of the ground.
1989
WA won the Sheffield Shield.
1990
WA won the FAI Cup.
1991
WA won the FAI Cup.
1992
WA won the Sheffield Shield.
1994
WA State Team named 'Western Warriors'.
AFL Finals played at the WACA Ground.
1995
'Western Reds' Rugby League Team based at WACA.
1996
Perth Heat Baseball team move to the WACA.
1997
Warriors won the inaugural Super 8’s competition.
Warriors won the Mercantile Mutual Cup (one-day series)
Warriors were runners-up for the Sheffield Shield.
1998
WA won the Sheffield Shield.
Museum moves to present site in the former residence of the WACA Ground curators
1999
WA won the Sheffield Shield. (The last title bearing that famous name).
Perth Glory play National Soccer League Finals at the WACA Ground.
2000
WA won the Mercantile Mutual Cup.
Last AFL match played at the WACA Ground.
2001
Western Warriors won "Champions Cup" an International Cricket competition involving teams from New Zealand, India and South Africa.
2002
WACA redevelopment completed. Playing arena reduced by total of 31 metres at east and west boundaries to improve player and patron ambience and atmosphere.
2003
In an historic Sponsorship agreement, the Western Warriors changed their name to The RETRAVISION WARRIORS.
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