India vs Australia: Comparing Perth's Two Faces - 'The Iconic WACA' and 'The Modern Optus Stadium'

India vs Australia: Perth, which is known for its sporting culture and ardent fans, is home to two cricket venues namely the historic WACA Ground and the modern Optus Stadium. It is no secret this particular venue became a fortress for Australia.

With the bouncy, fast nature of the pitch, it was challenging for even the best international teams. The WACA pitch is famously quick and lively, especially favouring pace bowlers.

WACA Ground holds a special place in cricketing lore. WACA now serves as a secondary venue while the spotlight has shifted to Optus Stadium. Optus is well-equipped with world-class facilities that attract large crowds.

Here is a comparative look at these two stadiums, each with its own legacy in Australian cricket.

Western Australian Cricket Association (W.A.C.A) Stadium

Established in the 1890s, the WACA has been an iconic venue for over a century. It was at this venue, the Aussie bowling greats of the past went about their business. Some of the notable names include Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Dennis Lillee and others.

Jeff Thomson, fondly known as "Thommo," who is celebrated as one of the fastest bowlers in cricket history bowled a famous delivery against the West Indies at this venue in Perth in 1975, where he clocked at an astonishing 160.6 km/h.

At the time, this was the fastest recorded delivery in the game. Australia has played 44 Test matches at the WACA, winning 25, losing 11 and drawing 8. The WACA has been challenging for India. Of the four games India played there, they only won once, in 2008, clinching a historic 72-run victory. This remains India’s sole win in Perth.

The ground that has become a prominent cricket venue for international fixtures after the 1992 World Cup, bid adieu as Perth Stadium took over international cricket games. WACA has since been transformed into a boutique ground with a limited capacity of around 10,000-15,000 seats.

Optus Stadium

The stadium known for its modern amenities and cutting-edge design was completed in 2017 and officially opened in January 2018. Optus Stadium boasts a 60,000-seat capacity, which is the third-largest stadium in Australia.

The ICC approved Optus Stadium for international cricket in the year 2018. It has since become the primary venue for hosting cricket in Perth. This stadium also serves as a venue for the Big Bash League (BBL), AFL and football.

The Australian cricket team have been exceptional at Optus Stadium, playing four Test matches and winning all four of them. Their undefeated record at this venue is a strong sign that they have just started establishing a new legacy in Perth. India has only played one Test match at Optus Stadium and was unable to secure a victory.