Wright grew up in West Australia where Rod Marsh was the established keeper. He made his first class debut in 1974/75 against the touring English side. He also managed to play several games for WA during the 1976/77 season when Marsh was touring New Zealand for Australia.

When Rod Marsh joined World Series Cricket, he was banned from playing first class cricket in Australia. Wright got the chance to establish himself as West Australia's regular keeper in the 1977/78 season. It was a successful one for WA, as they won the Sheffield Shield. Wright scored 211 runs at an average of 35 with a top score of 59.

Test Debut against England

Steve Rixon was Australia's wicketkeeper during the 1977-78 season against India and on the tour of the West Indies. In 1978-79 he was replaced by John Maclean.

After four tests, Maclean fell injured and Wright was picked to take his place for the 5th test. At that stage he had made 83 dismissals.

Wright scored 29 (Australia's second highest score in the first innings) and 0. Wright kept his spot for the two on day games against England which followed (which Australia won), and sixth test, scoring 3 and 5 in another Australian defeat.

Tests vs Pakistan

He was kept as keeper for the next two tests against Pakistan. In the first, Wright took seven dismissals and scored 9 and 1 with the bat.

In the second, he took seven dismissals and scored 16 in a then-rare Australian victory.

Wright scored 300 first class runs that summer at an average of 17 but he took 57 dismissals (53 caught, 4 stumping).

1979 World Cup and Tour of India

Wright kept his spot for the 1979 tours of England for the World Cup, and the six-test series in India.

In the World Cup Wright scored 6 against England, 23 against Pakistan and did not bat against Canada.^[19]

In India he scored 52 in an opening tour game.^[20] He made 20 and 5 in the first test, disappointing captain Kim Hughes.^[21][22] He made a fighting 16 in the second test^[23], 6 and 11 in the third^[24], a much-praised double of 55 and 15 in the fourth^[25][26], 0 and 12 in the fifth^[27] and 11 and 5 in the 6th.^[28]

Post WSC

On Wright's return to Australia, the World Series players had been re-incorporated with the establishment. Wright lost his spot in the West Australian and Australian teams to Rod Marsh.^[29] Marsh's absence on international duty however meant he still played eight first class games scoring 322 runs at 35 (top score 88) and taking 34 dismissals. He won a man of the m