the day noel took on the poms

this is excerpt from the News Mail article written by Lee Gaskin, on the 16/11/2006.

SIXTY years may have passed, but Bundaberg’s Noel Wright can still remember facing up to England’s best.

For the 87-year-old, this summer’s highly-anticipated Ashes series will have extra significance.

It was in a tour match during the 1946/47 Ashes campaign that Wright vice-captained a Queensland Country side that played the Poms in Gympie.

In a team loaded with stars, including Denis Compton and Len Hutton, Wright described the match as something “very special”.

A talented right-hand batsman, who made an unbeaten double century in Bundaberg club fixtures, Wright said facing renowned quick Bill Voce was a tricky proposition.

“He was one of the bowlers from the bodyline series,” Wright said.

“The next trip out here he wasn’t as fast, but he was still quick.”

But it was Compton, known more for his skill with the willow, who caused Wright the most bother.

“I think Denis probably got more out,” he said.

The English were not the only international side Wright came up against, as he took on the touring Indian team in 1948, followed by the South Africans four years later.

Following the tour match between the Queenslanders and England, both teams signed a bat which remained with the Gympie Cricket Association (GCA).