30th March 1970
The Story behind the Iconic Photograph from the 1969-70 Grand Final at the WACA
as told by Brian Rakich
The iconic painting of red-headed Kevin Gartrell, arms clasped in triumph as he is carried from the WACA Ground on the shoulders of his great Midland-Guildford teammate Keith Slater, commemorates one of the greatest Grand Final victories in WACA history.
The artwork painted by Nick Harrison was inspired by the famous photograph captured by The West Australian's Chief Sports Photographer, "Todge" Campbell.
The image immortalised one of Western Australia's great sporting moments and, 40 years later, became the centrepiece of the inauguration of the Keith Slater-Kevin Gartrell Medal, awarded annually to the Midland-Guildford Cricket Club's most outstanding Male First Grade Player.
The 1969–70 Grand Final between Midland-Guildford and West Perth was played over the Easter weekend of 1970. West Perth, captained by WA legend Rod Marsh, fielded an outstanding side that included Jock Irvine, Ric Charlesworth and Peter Medhurst.
Midland-Guildford posted 305 in its first innings but found itself 10 runs behind after West Perth replied with 315, shortly before the tea break on the third day. With only four sessions remaining, Midland-Guildford faced an enormous challenge.
The plan was ambitious: bat for the next two sessions, build a lead of
around 150 runs, and then use the final two sessions to dismiss
West Perth and claim the premiership. It was a daunting task.
By lunch on the fourth day, Midland-Guildford had executed the
first part of the plan perfectly, declaring at 8/161 to set
West Perth a target of 152 for victory.
Then came Kevin Gartrell…..
After fast bowler Stan "Steamer" Wilson had given
Midland-Guildford the ideal start by dismissing openers
Martin and Ric Charlesworth with the score at 34,
captain Tony Mann made an inspired decision.
He tossed the ball to off-spinner Kevin Gartrell from the
Pavilion end of the famous WACA Ground.
What followed became the stuff of club folklore.
Gartrell produced one of the finest bowling performances ever
seen in a WACA Grand Final, bowling 14 overs, including six maidens,
to claim the extraordinary figures of 6/18.
West Perth, boasting one of the strongest line-ups in Western
Australian cricket, was stunned, collapsing for just 68.
Midland-Guildford had secured one of the most remarkable
Grand Final victories in WACA history.
The triumph completed a memorable back-to-back Premiership
for Midland-Guildford. In the club's breakthrough premiership the
previous season, Kevin Gartrell had also been the match-winning
star, scoring magnificent innings of 137 and 95.
25th February 2023
The artwork was presented to Keith Slater & Kevin Gartrell at the Past Players Day
