Alan Wyatt valuable contribution in NSW v Victoria tied Sheffield Shield game in 1956-57
Western Suburbs District Cricket Club Sydney | July 16, 2024
In Western Suburbs District Cricket Club tribute to Alan Wyatt (first grade player number 369), who passed away at the age of 89 on 11th July 2024, we made mention of Alan’s valuable contribution to NSW winning the Sheffield Shield in 1956-57.
Pictured Alan Wyatt, Richie Benaud and Neil Harvey
The winner of the Sheffield Shield was always first past the post prior to the introduction of the Sheffield Shield Final in 1982-83.
NSW won the Sheffield Shield in 1956-57 by one point, with Queensland 2nd and Victoria 3rd.
It’s worth noting Queensland had never won the Sheffield Shield and didn’t do so until 1994-95.
During the Christmas period in December 1956, NSW played Victoria. The scheduling of cricket games was a little different back then.
First class games are played over 4 days but play overt eh Christmas period was scheduled over 6 days from 22nd to 27th December. Day one was a Saturday, Sunday was a rest day, play resumed on Monday and Tuesday was Christmas day.
The NSW v Victoria Sheffield Shield games were often referred to the 6th test of the summer such was the talent and competitive spirit between the two states.
Victoria won the toss and elected to bat.
Colin McDonald, the test opener, opened the batting with Bill Lawry, the future Australian opener and captain.
Western Suburbs legend Alan Davidson dismissed Lawry for one.
Victoria was bowled out for 244 with Davidson taking 2 wickets and Alan Wyatt one for 38 off 9.3 overs. Wyatt dismissed former Australia Test bowler Ian Meckiff for 55.
NSW responded with 281 first innings runs with opener Jim Burke carrying his bat for 132. Alan Wyatt was last batter out when he was run out for 0.
Victoria was bowled out for 197 and Alan Wyatt took 2 for 14 off 4 overs includi9ng both openers Colin McDonald (8) and Bill Lawry (7).
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Needing 160 runs to win NSW were 9 for 148 when Alan Wyatt joined his captain Ian Craig at the crease.
For reasons unknown Ian Craig batted number 10 and when he was dismissed by Lindsay Kline for 24 and NSW was all out for 160 the Shield game was a tied result.
It was the first tied result in the history of the Sheffield Shield and Alan Wyatt was 2 not out.
The crowd attendance over the course of the game was 23,384 and gate taking were 2,577 pounds.
For the tied result NSW received 2 points and Victoria 2.
The Victorian team included Colin McDonald, Bill Lawry, Neil Harvey, Sam Loxton, Len Maddox, Ian Meckiff and Lindsay Kline.
The NSW were also filled with Australian test players and included Jim Burke, Norm O’Neill, Ian Craig, Bill Watson, Richie Benaud, Johnny Martin, Alan Davidson.
One of the great games of cricket in Australian first-class cricket history and Western Suburbs Alan Wyatt and Alan Davidson made significant contributions.
The 2 points for the tie turned out to very important to NSW success in winning the 1956-57 Sheffield Shield competition.
