Hearing that Canberra is to host a cricket test match in 2017 at Manuka Oval is welcome news, both in terms of kudos for the region and opportunities for the business community. It is also a fitting reward for the contribution to Australian cricket that the ACT and its region have made for many years.
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Even before the ACT existed, cricket was played in the Queanbeyan/Canberra region but with the establishment of Canberra as the national capital, Cricket ACT has lifted the standard of play and level of professionalism to that of the cricket playing states.
Canberra-bred star batter and slow/medium pace bowler, Michael Bevan represented Australia in both long and short forms of the game.
We all know of the success of Brad Haddin rising from star junior ACT player to join the Queanbeyan team as a wicket keeper before he had an illustrious career in the Australian side.
In more recent times Nathan Lyon represented the ACT in junior and senior teams before being called upon by national selectors to bowl for Australia.
His success at international level now sees him as the current record holder for most test wickets taken by an off-spinner.
Apart from the quality of the players, the facilities, organisational ability and level of public support justify the recognition of ACT Cricket at the test level.
Over many years the ACT has hosted a variety of international short form games. Way back in 1963, I, and other Queanbeyan High School students, were bused to Manuka Oval to provide a crowd for the PM's team to play the MCC. This was Don Bradman's last match but what I do recall was the bowling of 'Fiery Freddie' Trueman - I couldn't believe a cricket ball could be bowled that fast.
He was also quite a character and took a catch on the boundary - but it was disallowed as he caught it in his hat.
Even earlier, in 1961 another school excursion took us to see the West Indies play a PM's side. This time it was Wes Hall who bowled so fast I could not even see the ball.
Manuka Oval's step up to test level is a monumental reward. However, there can be no doubt that the spectators will be equally delighted with the facilities and traditional setting as the standard of play we expect from cricket test matches.
