Forget the Boxing Day test – all the cricket action is at Blackall in Queensland’s central west.
The traditional seven-a-side charity day was all set to take place in the drought-stricken community on Sunday morning when a storm dumped 27mm of rain over the claypan pitch.
The excitement was such that a decision to hold a quiet barbecue lunch and a few beers without the cricket turned into the country equivalent of a social media party, and by lunchtime about 40 people had gathered to share a sight for sore eyes – water on the pitch.
One thing led to another as the rain continued to fall and a decision was made to have an impromptu game, using tennis racquets and chairs as stumps.
Cricket club president Matt McLane said by mid-afternoon the town had recorded around 75mm of rain.
“This isn’t the breaking of the drought by any means,” he cautioned. “A lot of people have come in from properties around Blackall so there definitely hasn’t been enough to stop them.”
He said the biggest rain seemed to have been to the east, around Tambo, with Shady Downs recording over 125mm. Mt Enniskillen had 80mm and The Springs 75mm.