Former Australian cricket player Dennis Lillee "has resigned as president" of the Western Australian Cricket Association as the organization prepares to unveil its "make-or-break plan" to guarantee the future of WA’s "iconic" cricket venue, according to the AAP.
Lillee’s resignation "comes just two days before the release of a report on how much cricket should be moved" from the WACA Ground to Perth’s new A$1.2B ($840,000) stadium at Burswood, which "is set to be completed by 2018." Lillee: "I cannot stand by and watch what is happening at the Waca. I do not wish to be part of it any longer." The WACA’s future development strategy committee report "is likely to recommend that Test cricket remains at the WACA Ground, but most forms of limited-overs cricket" -- including Big Bash League matches -- be moved to Burswood.
Any such decision "would bring into question the viability of the ageing WACA Ground, with potentially only Test cricket and Sheffield Shield matches to be held at the venue." No other major Australian sport "uses the ground at present" (AAP, 9/1).
