Three significant figures in Western Australian cricket have been permanently honoured at the WACA Ground, with bronze statues of Joseph Nogolgot, Dennis Lillee, Zoë Goss unveiled as part of WA Cricket's 2026-27 season launch.
The statues form part of the redeveloped WACA Ground precinct and recognise three different strands of the State's cricket history, representing men's, women's and Aboriginal cricket.
Joseph Nogolgot is identified by WA Cricket as the first Noongar team captain who led the 1879 Aboriginal Team — described as one of the earliest examples of organised Aboriginal cricket in Western Australia.
Historical sketches from the period were used to help inform the design of Nogolgot's statue, including his stance and representation as a leader.
The statue was unveiled by Professor Colleen Hayward, a former chair of the WA Aboriginal Cricket and Culture Advisory Committee.
Professor Hayward said Nogolgot's story was an important but lesser-known part of Western Australian cricket history.
"To see Joseph permanently recognised at the WACA Ground is a significant moment and a fitting acknowledgement of the long history of Aboriginal cricket in this State," she said.
"This statue ensures his story and contribution can be shared with generations to come."
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Lillee, one of Australia's leading fast bowlers, finished his Test career with 355 wickets from 70 matches at an average of 23.92.
He became Test cricket's leading wicket-taker when he passed West Indian spinner Lance Gibbs' then-record 309 wickets. During the 1972 Ashes tour, Lillee took 31 wickets at 17.67 and was subsequently named one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year in 1973.
The Australian legend said the statue held particular significance because of his long association with the WACA Ground.
"I spent a lot of my career playing at this Ground and have some great memories here, both playing for Western Australia and Australia," he said.
"The WACA Ground has always been one of the great cricket grounds, so it's pretty special to know I'll be standing here for a long time to come."
Goss, who made her international debut in Perth in 1987, played a significant role in the development of Australian and Western Australian women's cricket over a career spanning almost two decades.
The all-rounder played 65 one-day internationals and 12 Tests for Australia, scoring more than 1,300 international runs and taking 84 wickets across the two formats.
She was a member of the first Western Australian women's team to win the National Championship in 1986. Goss later captained WA in the Women's National Cricket League Final in 1999-00 and continued representing the State until retiring in 2006.
"It's incredibly special to be recognised in this way, particularly at the WACA Ground where so much of my cricket journey took place," Goss said.
"This statue represents all the women who have played before me, all the women I played with and against during my career, and I hope will inspire the generations to come to enjoy this great game."
WA Cricket CEO John Stephenson said the statues would give the three figures a permanent place within the Ground's history.
"These statues recognise three remarkable people who each hold an important place in the story of cricket in Western Australia," Stephenson said.
"Dennis, Zoë and Joseph represent different generations and different parts of our game, but each has made an enduring contribution to cricket in this State."
The three bronze works were created by public artists Gillie and Marc as part of their Statues for Equality initiative, which aims to increase gender and racial representation in public art.
They are located in the WACA Ground plaza forecourt and form part of a broader public art and site interpretation program incorporated into the redeveloped precinct.
