WA Cricket Association members will tonight be invited to award Life Membership to two of the state's finest servants, at the Association's Annual General Meeting.

Former Test and state cricketer and reigning Australian Cricket Board director Mr Wally Edwards and current Association Vice-President Mr Bill Bryant have diligently served the game for more than 40 years.

Mr Edwards said today that being awarded WACA Life Membership was the finest achievement of a career that included playing three Ashes Tests in 1974.

"It is recognition of efforts through all facets of our sport over a very long period of time," said Mr Edwards.

"It's a great honour, of which I'm sure anyone would be extremely proud."

Mr Edwards represented Western Australia 22 times and played district cricket over three decades at three clubs. He commenced his career as a 15-year-old at Midland-Guildford in the late 1960s before he transferred to University. He concluded an illustrious club career with North Perth, leading the club to a premiership in 1977-78.

Mr Edwards has been a WACA Executive Committee member since 1987. He is currently chairman on the important International and Interstate committee.

He has actively served on four WACA club committees, through his playing days with Midland-Guildford, University and North Perth and is currently actively involved with Subiaco-Floreat where his son Phillip is an emerging young player.

Mr Bryant was first elected to the Executive as Members' Representative 21 years ago. He has served as Association Vice-President since 1995. He played club cricket with University and Mt Lawley and extends a long family history of outstanding service to cricket. He is a past Chairman of the Ground and Finance sub-committee and Chairman of the Ground Development sub-committee.

Mr Bryant has also served as Chairman of the WACA Appeal Board and Chairman of the WACA Membership sub-committee.

Mr Bryant's father Richard was awarded Life Membership in 1956. His uncle Frank had the honour bestowed upon him in 1972, capping distinguished playing and administrational careers with the Association.

"This is a great honour for me to follow in my father and uncle's footsteps. It is extremely gratifying to be involved with such a wonderful organisation as the WACA," Mr Bryant said.

"To be involved with cricket over the last 20 years, when we have seen such enormous development within our ground and such a powerful continuance of a production line of top class players to the Test team is extremely rewarding."

Another of Mr Bryant's uncles, also Mr Bill Bryant, played first-class cricket for Western Australia as well.

The WACA Player's Dining Room is named "The Bryant Room" in recognition of such powerful service from the family.

© 2002 Western Australian Cricket Association

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.