England’s dramatic collapse in the first Ashes Test may have disappointed cricket fans hoping for a longer contest, but for many Western Australians it became an unexpected blessing. With the match at Perth’s Optus Stadium ending within two days—the shortest Ashes Test by overs since 1888—hundreds of kilos of surplus food were redirected to vulnerable communities.
Western Australia’s Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti revealed on Instagram that the stadium rapidly activated its food recovery plan once it became clear the game would conclude early.
A Record-Breaking Donation
More than 51,000 spectators attended the opening day, prompting the stadium to prepare large volumes of food. After the early finish, surplus supplies were donated to charitable organisation OzHarvest, including:
- 20 pallets of fruits and vegetables
- 4 pallets of sandwiches and salads
- 2 pallets of bread
- 4 pallets of milk and dairy products
This became the single largest food donation ever recorded in Western Australia.
Stadium Chefs Turn Surplus into Meals
Optus Stadium CEO Mike McKenna said every effort was made to ensure the food didn’t go to waste. Chefs immediately began converting ingredients into preserved or ready-to-use products:
- 450 kg of sliced tomatoes turned into passata
- Excess milk transformed into white sauce
- Lemon wedges preserved for future use
“Being able to support those in need is really a silver lining for the stadium team,” McKenna said.
Community Spirit Praised
Deputy Premier Saffioti described the initiative as “community spirit at its best,” noting that the redistributed supplies would benefit:
✔ Schools
✔ Charities
✔ Women’s refuges
✔ Individuals facing food insecurity
England’s Costly Defeat
While the donation effort brought positivity, the early finish came at a financial loss for Cricket Australia. England’s capitulation—highlighted by Mitchell Starc’s 10-wicket haul and Travis Head’s explosive 69-ball century—resulted in a $4 million shortfall, even after savings from not opening the stadium for the final three scheduled days.
The England squad departed Perth on Wednesday, heading mostly to Brisbane for the day-night second Test on December 4, while three players—Josh Tongue, Jacob Bethell, and Matthew Potts—joined the Lions squad for a fixture against Australia A in Canberra.
