Sarfraz never made it into Wylie by Gordon Smith

Remember the days when Kerry Packer had revolutionised cricket? One day cricket had swept the globe and Benson and Hedges cigarettes sponsored the cricket without a hint of protest.

It was 1981 and Pakistan, captained by Javed Miandad and including legends such as Imran Khan and Sarfraz Nawaz, was touring Australia – AND – they were coming to Wyalkatchem in WA’s Central Wheatbelt. A combined WA Country Eleven was set to play a game against Pakistan and Wyalkatchem was chosen as the host town thanks largely to the efforts of Bob Cox, who was president of the Country Cricket Association, and Bob Gamble. 

Thousands of tickets were sold and the town was abuzz with excitement as the day that would become part of local folklore approached.

Local curator Bob Hammond had only been in the job for two years and the pressure to have a pristine pitch was immense. The WACA curator Roy Abbott made several trips out to give advice and make sure that young bloke out in the bush knew what he was doing. It wasn’t just the pitch, Bob recalls, but every divot and sprinkler had to be smoothed out to avoid injury to the international stars. Craig Cox remembers helping his dad make and paint huge sight screens specifically for the match. 

Peter Trenordan recalls the excitement as a 10-year-old as the rumour spread through town that Imran Khan was going to give the kids a lesson in the nets.

There was only one problem – Wyllie was jilted – and Pakistan pulled the pin two days before play as due to start. Memories are conflicted as to the cause. Was it a flight delay or a power blackout at the MCG that delayed their arrival? But reasons are trifling matters that can be decided over a beer at the Wyllie pub. The more serious matter was the huge let down the town and district felt.

Neil Ballard recollects the huge disappointment of the town and the entire country cricket community.  Quentin Davies was the only local Wyalkatchem player selected and recalls mixed emotions about the game being abandoned. Disappointment for himself and the whole town but a sneaky relief that he did not have to face their menacing fast bowler Safraz Nawaz off the long run. Perhaps the image of Rick McCosker getting his jaw broken in the Centenary Test a few years before was still in his memory.

Thanks to Craig Cox we have the last remaining relic of a fading memory of the day Pakistan left Wyalkatchem abandoned at the altar of cricket legend. The “budget” for the day, complete with the Benson & Hedges logo.

First published in Wyalkatchem Weekly 7 June 2024.