The Western Australian government have reportedly launched an audacious bid to retain a Test match this summer.
Hobart is continuing to firm for the fifth Test when Cricket Australia make a formal announcement this week that Perth won't be hosting it due to their hard border rules.
Under the current rules, which Mark McGowan's government are seemingly refusing to budge from, all players and staff for both teams and broadcast, would need to quarantine for 14 days upon leaving Sydney, which will host the fourth Test.
England have made it clear they won't be quarantining, while the Perth Test is due to start just five days after the conclusion of the match in Sydney, making a match at Optus Stadium untenable for Cricket Australia.
Cricket Australia have reportedly advised the Western Australian government that they have officially lost the match, however, the West Australian are reporting the state government are making a final play to hang onto the Test.
The report suggests they are aiming to host the second Test in an apparent swap with Adelaide and South Australia, meaning the players and staff could fly straight from Queensland without having to quarantine.
Queensland has different border rules in Western Australia than New South Wales and Victoria thanks to being virtually covid-free.
State sports and recreation minister Tony Buti said a swap would work.
โIf cricket isn't able to meet our border rules for the fifth Test in Perth, then they should move the second Test to Perth instead. It's a no-brainer,โ Buti said.
โAs long as Queensland stays COVID-free then the teams can fly straight to Perth after the Brisbane Test.
โThen no one will need to worry about quarantine and COVID protocols.
โJust like Cairns Taipans played Perth Wildcats in the NBL on Sunday at RAC Arena.
โThe simple solution would be to bring that Test here while South Australia manages its COVID outbreak.
โAdelaide can then host the fifth Test originally scheduled for Perth.
โThe Big Bash game for Optus Stadium on December 20 can easily be rescheduled.โ
Buti also slammed the lack of flexibility in fixturing from Cricket Australia.
โFrankly, the Test fixtures should have been reviewed when NSW had its outbreak,โ Buti said.
โPutting Perth last after Sydney and Melbourne was always going to be a challenge unless cricket accepted WA's border rules, like the AFL did.
โAFL has demonstrated that its fixture arrangements can be flexible and agile - cricket can follow that lead if there's will to do so."
It's understood Cricket Australia and the South Australian board have laughed off the proposal for the time being, meaning Hobart is still the favourite to take the fifth Test, although the possibility of a Day-Night Test in Melbourne to replace Perth hasn't yet been discounted.
It's understood that, no matter where the fifth Test is held, it will be played under lights to account for the time difference TV broadcasters originally would have gained from had the match been in Perth.
A decision from Cricket Australia is expected before the first Test gets underway in Brisbane on Wednesday.
