WA Cricket boss reveals new completion date for WACA revamp as it extends Murdoch University partnership

WA Cricket and Murdoch University have extended their long-running partnership in what has been described a significant investment to boost jobs in the sports industry. The renewed deal will see Murdoch stay as the research and education partner of WA Cricket and Perth Scorchers until at least 2030. It comes as WA Cricket chief executive John Stephenson revealed practical completion of the $170 million WACA Ground redevelopment was slated for October 31. The project was anticipated for completion in mid-2025. “It’s a little bit later than envisaged before I became CEO but as with all these construction projects, they very rarely finish bang on time,” Mr Stephenson said, adding warmer days and soil contamination have delayed the project. “What we want to ensure (is) that we’re ready to be a support venue for the Ashes.” Mr Stephenson — who did not divulge the value of the renewed deal with Murdoch — said future education and research opportunities in cricket were rare, but crucial in advancing the game. “Australia’s sports industry (supports) 130,000 jobs and makes a significant contribution to the country’s gross domestic product, it’s $14 billion. You can safely say that this (partnership) is another building block for that,” he said. “We’re creating new pathways for involvement in cricket through education, leadership and these are the things that create new opportunities in the sports industry.” Murdoch vice-chancellor Andrew Deeks said it was delighted to deliver the diploma of sport and business as part of the partnership. WA Cricket in December revealed Wesfarmers-owned Bunnings would become the first naming rights partner of the WACA Ground. Mr Stephenson said it was “looking at other opportunities around the ground for naming rights”, adding there was “plenty of inventory there”.