SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Mitchell Starc of Australia (L) celebrates with Steve Smith (C) and Pat Cummins (R) after taking the wicket of Umar Akmal of Pakistan during game four of the One Day International series between Australia and Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 22, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

A date switch with Sydney and possible postponement may be the only way for Perth to salvage any international cricket this summer.

The Western Australian government announced on Monday afternoon that their hard border would finally be eased on February 5, however, that will be too late for Cricket Australia, who are set to play New Zealand in a three-match ODI series following the Ashes.

As it currently stands, Australia are due to play the first ODI of the series in Perth on January 30, followed by matches in Hobart on February 2 and Sydney on February 5.

While the border will open on February 5, only a complete rejig of the series end date would likely allow the game to proceed, with players needing to be in the state the day before the match takes place.

Even a date swap with Sydney would mean players and staff wouldn’t be able to enter until February 5, making playing that day in the west something of an impossibility.

Special exemptions for that to occur seem to be not forthcoming though, with premier Mark McGowan reiterating the state’s hardling stance during the announcement yesterday.

“If they are prepared to adhere to the rules then they can hold the game of cricket,” McGowan said.

“They just need to adhere to the 14-day quarantine rules.

“So that‘s what we said to cricket, they didn’t want to do that.

“But we said the same thing to the AFL and they did want to do that so that‘s why we held the grand finals, so it’s all dependent upon them on whether they want to adhere to the rules.”

The Western Australian Cricket Association said in a statement that they are discussing their options following the announcement.

“Due to this news being fresh we are discussing internally and with our stakeholders, and will provide an update in due course,” the statement read.

According to news.com.au, Cricket Australia have made no final decision on the venue for the first ODI of the series between Australia and New Zealand.

Perth could also be robbed of the BBL final on January 28 if the Perth Scorchers earn the right to host it, or any of the other finals matches. The Scorchers themselves would now need to quarantine for 14 days on return to Perth, while the same would obviously go for their opposition.