Thousands of die-hard cricket fans simply couldn’t wait for the much-anticipated Ashes series to get started, flooding the Optus Stadium precinct hours before Friday morning’s opening delivery.

A bumper crowd in excess of 56,000 is expected for the hottest ticket in town, with all eyes on whether Australia can start strongly against England in the series opener in Perth.

And as some simply wanted to soak up the atmosphere, plenty of WACA members were desperate to give themselves the best chance possible of being in pole position for the gate opening time of 8.30am ahead of the 10.20am first ball.

Some fans were wandering around the ground and through the nearby WA day festival precinct from before 7am, with queues forming outside the members.

Despite missing skipper Pat Cummins and fel

See Full Page