25 January 1985 was the start of the 4 day Sheffield shield game between New South Wales and Victoria at the MCG.
After 175.2 overs Victoria were bowled out for 438 and NSW opener John Dyson strode to the crease alongside his new opening partner, debutant Wayne Seabrook.
In what many of the players involved in the game describe as one of the most dynamic debut innings in the history of Australian first class cricket Wayne Seabrook against a Victoria attack that included Merv Hughes, Simon Davis, Peter King and Ray Bright scored 165.
NSW declared at 9 for 442 and the game ended in a draw with first innings points to NSW.
Wayne played 3 more first class games before the end of the 1984/85 season and went into the off season full of hope and determination to capitalise on the opportunity to cement his position at the top of the order for NSW.
The opportunity had widened as NSW openers John Dyson and Steve Smith had joined the Rebel tour of South Africa.
Just prior to the 1985/86 season Wayne sustained a shoulder falling through the roof of the old Supertest cricket nets in Kingsgrove. He was sidelined for 3 months and by the time he was fit and ready NSW had chosen two promising youngsters in Mark Taylor and Mark Waugh.
Wayne unfortunately only played the 4 first class game for the Blues but his innings and many others in Sydney Grade Cricket still form part of many of his cricketing peer’s discussions and memories.
Making his debut for Balmain in 1978 at the age of 17 Seabs scored 6,857 runs for Balmain, St George, Parramatta and Mosman at an average of 33.61 and his highest score was 183. He scored 9 centuries and 42 half centuries before retiring in 1993.
Wayne Seabrook in full flight
We mentioned peers and their memories of Wayne Seabrook as a cricketer and the innings he played. Here’s a few tales.
Murray Bennett
Wayne Seabrook was without doubt the most damaging opening bat I played with. Good technique and could play shots all-round the wicket. He had a punishing pull shot that he could play to balls only fractionally short of a length. 165 in his first innings for NSW playing against the Vics was testament of his great ability. He would have been a sensation in 20/20 cricket and would have made a fortune. It’s a shame more opportunities didn’t come his way and he needed a bit more self-belief.
Phil Marks
A strongly built, powerful attacking opening batsmen Wayne Seabrook hit the ball as hard as any, all with a bat that weighed 2.2 pounds! His textbook technique enabled him to play all shots, a delight to watch in full flight even when on the receiving end. Scored a magnificent debut 165 for NSW at the MCG in January 1985.
Brad McNamara
If you want to describe Wayne Seabrook as a Cricketer, both on and off the field, think Hollywood’s foremost swashbuckler - Errol Flynn. As an opening batsmen, Seabs was much in the mould of Michael Slater, a dashing stroke maker with a brilliantly sound technique. 165 on debut for NSW says it all. In an extremely strong era of Australian Cricket where it wasn’t the done thing to be seen to be different or ‘your own man’, Seebs was a little before his time. Nowadays, with his ability and personality, he would be an international superstar.
Mick McMahon
Mike McMahon in selecting his best grade team from players he played with made this comment
Wayne Seabrook (Balmain) a brilliant attacking batsman with an excellent technique. Seabs hit the ball as hard as anyone and was an excellent player in the 1980s. He subsequently opened the batting for NSW which included a phenomenal 165 against Victoria at the MCG in his Sheffield Shield debut in the 1984/85 season.
Jeff Cook
Jeff Cook in selecting his best grade team from players he played with made this comment
Only played the 1 season with Wayne at St George, he had a presence when batting and a no-fear attitude of getting out. I saw him hit the first ball of the day for 6, His 140 v Gordon on 1 leg (hamstring injury) was amazing viewing as a 17 year-old in awe at the other end. This innings gets him in the side. Played first class cricket for NSW.
After retiring from cricket Wayne ventured into one of his other great passions, motor car racing.
For the past 20 or so years he has forged a very successful racing career and is rated as one of the top drivers in the country in his category.
Here’s a little interview motor car racing interview with Wayne Seabrook – dynamic still to this day
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