Nearly 3,000 black market Ashes tickets will be resold

Cricket Australia are placing nearly 3,000 tickets for December’s Ashes Test in Perth back on sale after black marketeers tried to cash in by selling them online.

The 2,890 tickets for the third Test at the WACA - which starts on December 14 - have been identified and reissues will be put back on sale through official CA channels on Monday, the country’s governing body said today.

CA’s executive general manager, Anthony Everard, said: “We know that tickets are in high demand for this series and this is a very clear message to those who try to take advantage of the system and scalp tickets [sell them for profit] at inflated prices. We will cancel those tickets.

“Our message to fans is to not support this practice. Whilst we understand this leads to disappointment, with some days of our Tests sold out, people should only purchase tickets from official agencies to ensure that they only pay the official prices, and not risk your ticket being cancelled at the gate.”

Everard said cricket fans who buy tickets from unauthorised resellers risked paying too much or even being sold invalid tickets.

“Unfortunately, we are unable to assist fans or verify any tickets purchased through resellers,” he added.

The five-Test series against Ashes holders England is one of the most well-attended sporting events in Australia. The First Test starts in Brisbane at the Gabba on November 23.

The Perth Test is due to be held at the famous old WACA ground for the last time before it moves to the new, 60,000-capacity Perth Stadium, which was not built in time to host this year’s fixture.