Late starts to WACA Test

After decades of studiously rejecting daylight-saving, the West Australians have finally given in. Last weekend, WA finally put its clocks forward in spring, meaning that the state will only be two rather than three hours behind Sydney and Melbourne. It is not such good news for TV viewers of the Ashes in England, as play will now end by 9am GST rather than 10am.

Apart from Queensland, the rest of Australia has long embraced daylight-saving and the consequent longer evenings it entails. West Australians, citing a preference for lighter mornings and unwanted evening heat, had rejected the practice until a vote this year was taken in state parliament. A three-year trial period of daylight-saving is now being undertaken.

While England's two-day match against WA has a 10.30am start time, the third Test will begin at 11.30am with 7pm the cut-off time for stumps. For nostalgics - especially those in the UK that miss the 11.30 start for Tests of yesteryear - this represents a return to the good old days.