Will the fifth Ashes Test between Australia and England be played in Perth?

UPDATE: Cricket Australia has confirmed the fifth Ashes Test will be relocated from Perth as a result of COVID-19-related restrictions. 

The match, which is set to begin on January 14, will now be held at a new venue that is yet to be announced.

Hobart is the most likely replacement, with Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney also discussed as options.

This news comes two days before the first Test takes place at the Gabba in Brisbane.

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December 1: The fifth and final Ashes Test between Australia and England in Perth is unlikely to go ahead due to the strict COVID-19 border restrictions currently in Western Australia. 

With the fourth Test to be held in Sydney, NSW between January 5-9, Australian and English players and staff would then need to travel to Perth for the fifth Test, which is scheduled to start on January 14, only five days later.

Any travellers arriving in WA from NSW have to go through a two-week hotel quarantine program, and currently, there are no exemptions for anyone involved in the Ashes.

Cricket Australia has the option of possibly moving the fifth Test to another state if they don't want the travelling parties to go through the 14-day isolation period, with reports that Tasmania is the likely replacement.

WA Premier Mark McGowan has announced the state will open its borders once 90 percent of its population is double vaccinated, however, this is not expected to be until late January or early February. 

Despite a decrease in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in NSW and rising vaccination rates, the WA government is still not backing down from its current COVID-19 regulations.

There are tensions between the Federal Health Minister Mark Hunt and Premier McGowan on a border resolution as both are refusing to bow down on their preferred interests.

WA transition plan to take effect at 90 per cent double vaxxed - expected to be late Jan, early Feb, specific date to be set after 80 per cent, which is set to be achieved in December.

— Gareth Parker (@G_Parker) November 5, 2021

There will be more clarity on WA's quarantine rules when they reach 80 percent of the population double-vaccinated - which is expected in December. 

What are the updates for the fifth Test in Perth?

There is a lot of speculation and confusing messaging in regards to the final Ashes Test match being played in Perth. 

The latest update, as of early December, is that the Test is in severe danger of being moved, with Hobart firming as a potential destination. 

The West Australian has reported Cricket Australia will shortly announce the abandonment of the fifth Ashes Test in Perth because of the state’s hard border stance.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has already called for the Test to be moved from Perth to Hobart. 

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Hobart's bid to host the final test will come with a guarantee to match the net return of an equivalent fixture at the MCG.

There have also been rumours that WA will attempt a swap between the Perth and Adelaide Tests, which seems too logistically complicated at the moment, and is an unlikely resolution. 

WACA leader Christina Matthews does not believe the fifth test should leave WA as NSW numbers have declined. 

"There is talk around somewhere between the four and the seven days [quarantine], so that is an issue that is being dealt with," Matthews said.

This has caused outrage in WA as there could be a double-standard for cricket players and your everyday Aussie, who could still miss being able to travel in the Christmas holiday period due to the current rules.

WA Premier Mark McGowan has blasted comments from Health Minister Greg Hunt that suggested the WA border might bring forward its border opening in time for the Perth Ashes Test. #auspol https://t.co/msZ48TpIze

— The New Daily (@TheNewDailyAu) November 15, 2021

Another important factor to consider is the possible implications that quarantine rules have on broadcasting employees, with Sporting News Australia's Melinda Farrell tweeting about this issue.

I suspect one of the biggest issues with holding the 5th #Ashes Test in Perth may be the broadcast. A significant number of specialists are needed for things like key camera positions, DRS etc. It's not simply a matter of getting the players in. https://t.co/GJRaYICHVG

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) November 5, 2021

This will be a big factor in the discussions for a potential move, with Channel 7 not looking to waste their $450 million per year deal on broadcast issues.

Perth Scorchers and their opponents will be forced into 'strict quarantine conditions' for the beginning of the BBL season, which could be a look into what the fifth Test may look like if it remains in WA. 

Will the fifth Ashes test match be played in Perth?

Currently, the Test is still scheduled to be played at Optus Stadium, but it is looking increasingly unlikely that it will remain there.

WA Premier Mark McGowan is continuing his hard-line stance on borders reopening to the state, which could see Cricket Australia and ECB move it to another venue - tipped to be Melbourne. 

The hard border rules would also prevent players’ partners from travelling to Perth with the touring party, one of the key points negotiated before the ECB agreed to the tour.

“We have put in place very strict rules,” said McGowan.

“So we’ve said to the, ‘you need to have 14 days’ quarantine’, and that has to apply to all the broadcast staff, the cricket staff.

“They can’t just bring wives and girlfriends with them - same rules as we put in place for the AFL.

“It’s up to them whether they want to adhere to those rules or not.”

What is The Ashes Test schedule?