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Play in the first cricket Test between Australia and New Zealand got underway as scheduled in Perth on Friday despite a nearby scrub fire.

Firefighters have had to scramble to control a fire across the road from Optus Stadium in Perth where Australia and New Zealand are doing battle in the first cricket Test.

A scrub fire broke out at Belmont Race Course about an hour before play started on Friday, with thick smoke billowing from the site but not immediately in the direction of the $1.6 billion stadium.

Play got underway as scheduled at 1pm local time, with the mercury already hovering at 39 degrees.

A top of 41C is forecast for Friday and Saturday, with 40C forecast for Sunday.