Rookie Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is facing the prospect of reaching double-figure Tests in his home country, without having played one in his own state.
The 22-year-old made his debut in the baggy green last summer and played all four Tests against India. If he features in the entire Ashes series it will take his career tally to nine.
And while his hometown of Perth is currently scheduled to host the fifth match in mid-January, it’s looks increasingly likely Cricket Australia will need to boycott the western state and play it elsewhere.
READ MORE: The sad truth buried beneath Smith backlash
READ MORE: Former Olympian handed huge doping ban
Western Australia’s premier Mark McGowan is stubbornly refusing to budge on COVID-19 protocols which would require all Ashes players, staff, and broadcast workers to quarantine for two weeks upon entering the state.
As the fifth Test is due to start five days after the Sydney match finishes, it would be impossible to play in Perth unless the schedule changes.
Australia also didn’t play a match in Perth last summer, when India toured.
“Of course it will be disappointing (not to play in Perth). You always want to play in front of your friends and family back at home,” Green said today.
“But it’s probably the same as last year, didn’t get to play a game in Perth. So it won’t be any different.”
Cricket Australia is desperately looking at alternative venues to host the fifth Test.
READ MORE: Resignations demanded over Davis Cup debacle
Hobart, Melbourne, and Sydney have been floated as the most likely to snatch the match, which will potentially be series-deciding.
“No real preference,” Green said when asked where it should be moved to.
“I think it’s still 50-50 whether it will be in Perth, so fingers crossed.
“If it’s not there… we’ve got great records everywhere, so wherever it is we’ll stand up and perform.”
Last month, Green hit a 53 and then a 70 in Brisbane while playing for Western Australia in the domestic one-day and red ball competitions.
He will return to the Gabba next week to bat at No.6 for Australia.
“I love playing at the Gabba. It’s pretty similar to the WACA (Perth’s former Test cricket ground) in the way that it plays,” he said.
“Pretty similar bounce, pretty similar pace, and a pretty similar game you have to play. It’s always nice when you have a bit of success at a ground.”
The first Test begins on December 8.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!