Perhaps no recent player has been more closely identified with Western Suburbs than Dirk Wellham; son of a Wests cricketer, nephew of a West cricketer, born in Wests territory. Wellham made his first appearance for Wests as a 12 year old in the Green Shield.
He was an uncommonly mature young player, who had the skill, technique, concentration and mental strength to excel at the game at a very early age.
Wests Ashfield Leagues Club is a proud sponsor of Western Suburbs Cricket Club
Wellham reached First Grade when he was only 15, and at the age of 20, he became the youngest man ever appointed to captain a Sydney First grade team.
He marked his first class debut in 1980-81 with 100 against Victoria on a difficult Melbourne pitch; after only 6 games for New South Wales, he was selected for the 1981 tour to England where he celebrated his test debut with an outstanding innings of 103.
Dirk’s method was sound, he possessed a wider range of strokes than he was often given credit for, and his temperament was ideal for big cricket, yet he received fewer opportunities than he deserved.
His six tests were spread over six years, and he was never allowed a chance to settle in the side.
This was a poor reward for some outstanding efforts in domestic cricket – in 1982-83, for example, he scored 1205 first class runs at 66.94 without earning any recognition.
He was a magnificent fielder and a shrewd, highly effective captain, who led New South Wales to the Sheffield Shield and later captained both Tasmania and Queensland.
Dirk also played 17 One Day International for Australia with a highest score of 97.
Dirk Wellham was selected in the Western Suburbs District Cricket Clubs "Team of the Millennium."
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