HOWZAT! recounts the growth and development of World Series Cricket, helmed by Kerry Packer (Lachy Hulme), who signed up over fifty of the world's best players to play a series of "Super-Tests" in opposition to the established version of the game. Through his efforts the pay and conditions of most Test cricketers were radically improved; his other innovations - accepted as standard today - included colored clothing, white balls and day/night one-day matches. This is a highly entertaining, if somewhat romanticized version of events: Hulme's Packer is an obsessive, with absolutely no manners whatsoever, whose dedication to the cause remains admirable nonetheless. The Australian cricket team are portrayed as co-conspirators, while Richie Benaud (Peter Houghton) becomes Packer's willing ally, even though reduced to silence during one of the magnate's spectacular tirades. Following the BODYLINE series of the Eighties, the British are portrayed as supercilious and old- fashioned - especially the cricket administrators of the MCC, and the lawyers charged with defending Packer's cause. On the other hand England captain Tony Greig (Alexander England), becomes an enthusiastic and articulate supporter - perhaps because he is not British but South African. While the story keeps close to the historical facts, it nonetheless shows how post-colonial attitudes still pervade the Australian psyche - at least in terms of its media products.
