Sport
10 October, 2026
Meet Sir Wally Wetwicket OBE – The Southern Wire's cricket correspondent
Sir Wally Wetwicket OBE is The Southern Wire's newest and oldest cricket correspondent.
Sir Wally Wetwicket OBE is The Southern Wire's newest and oldest cricket correspondent.
Wally has been wandering the cricket grounds of the Southern Highlands, Wollondilly and Southern Tablelands for more than 500 years, although records from his early playing days remain somewhat sketchy.
He's witnessed centuries, hat-tricks, spectacular collapses, questionable umpiring decisions and more dropped catches than he's prepared to remember.
Wally claims to have played alongside Don Bradman, taught WG Grace the forward defensive and once suggested to Shane Warne that he should give leg-spin a go.
His own playing career was somewhat less distinguished, although he maintains his highest score of 7 not out was worth at least a century given the conditions.
A recipient of the prestigious Order of the Boundary Esky (OBE), Wally was recognised for his distinguished services to cricket, most of which were performed from the other side of the boundary rope.
Humble by nature, Wally prefers the title Official Boundary Expert.
Wally insists he hasn't seen a dry wicket in the Southern Highlands since 1823, hasn't bought a round since 1830 and hasn't agreed with an umpire since 1897, when he was the umpire.
Nobody remembers who knighted him. Wally insists it was the King, although he's a little vague about which one.
Wally prefers the boundary rope to the batting crease, keeping a close eye on proceedings while offering unsolicited advice to players, umpires and anyone unfortunate enough to sit nearby.
He'll be covering cricket for The Southern Wire throughout the season, bringing five centuries of experience, unrivalled local knowledge and absolutely no guarantee of impartiality.
As Wally likes to say, there's no such thing as a bad cricket match, just a shortage of refreshments.
Wally's first report will be filed tomorrow morning.
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