royce67 said:
Nonsense. There were only 4 Tests that year. Somebody had to miss out. Perth gets the worst crowds of the mainland grounds by far and Adelaide had just had its makeover. Even CA aren't stupid enough to drop Brisbane over Perth.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/sep/12/waca-dropped-india-australia-series
Further, the BCCI has become shameless in the manner with which they throw their weight around in world cricket. South Africa found out only last month that what was thought was a confirmed Indian tour schedule for the coming summer has been shortened, a move said to be the major consequence of Cricket South Africa appointing a new CEO despite the expressed misgivings of India.
And it's with this in mind that the 'other factors' question might be asked.
After India were humbled at the Waca in two-and-a-half days in the 2011-2012 summer, thanks mainly to their inability to adapt to the extra pace and bounce of what is still considered the fastest pitch in Australia, you have to wonder if the BCCI has perhaps had a say in which ground would miss out.
India have lost three Tests in Perth in four visits since 1977, their only win coming in 2008 when the Waca went through an uncharacteristically low and slow period. A new curator has returned the Waca to past glories in recent seasons, and India certainly did not cope well with the conditions when they last toured, making just 161 and 171 en route to an innings and 37-run loss.
Of course, India playing hardball with CA is not a new thing. They very nearly abandoned the 2007-2008 tour after the spiteful Sydney Test, where the 'Monkeygate' allegations of racial vilification were levelled at Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh. Only some very quick thinking – and major placation, Australian players maintained at the time – by CA prevented the tourists taking their bat and ball and going home.
The Waca having the smallest capacity cannot be argued, and on that basis, the official reasons behind the decision will stand up. And perhaps if it were any other nation touring, it would quite likely be accepted as being a completely reasonable commercial decision, broadcasting concerns notwithstanding.
As soon as the BCCI becomes part of the equation though, you can't help but wonder.
