Many people dream of representing their country in sport, however most don’t expect that dream to start after the age of 60. But for a group of Kiwi’s, their dream of representing their country will be coming true in November this year, when the New Zealand Over 60’s cricket side compete at Australia’s National Senior’s Cricket Championships.
There have been a number of teams from New Zealand that have competed at the Australian tournament, but never have they been selected on ability. In the past there has been self-selected teams, but for the first time in November, a New Zealand side that has been selected on performance and skill, will compete.
Over 60’s cricket, or Vintage Cricket as it’s also known, has rules based on the Laws of Cricket with a few variations to maximise the participation of all players. Games are normally either 35 or 40 overs, batsmen retire when they score 35 runs but can come back in if all other players are out. A bowlers run up is a maximum of 10 metres and they can bowl a maximum of 6 overs. At least 6 players must also bowl. All tournaments have qualified umpires, with LBW’s, no balls and wides all applying.
Around 300 people play the modified game regularly in New Zealand. The manager/player of the Over 60’s New Zealand team Grant Baker, has been involved for a few years now.
“I first got involved with Over 60’s cricket in 2013 when an Australian Over 60’s side played against my home club, the Tawa Turtles and Wellington as part of an 18 match tour of NZ.”
Since then, Grant has been organising Over 60’s cricket in New Zealand. He has been in regularly contact from Seniors Cricket Australia, who are very keen to get international competitors at their tournament.
“Seniors Cricket Australia had been in discussion with me for some time about getting a selected NZ Over 60’s team into their competition and hence the inaugural National Over 60’s Provincial Championships was born and earlier this year four of the six provinces fielded teams in the tournament held in Petone.”
Both Cricket Wellington, and Wellington community cricket manager, Chris Nevin, have been very supportive of Over 60’s cricket.
“Last year saw four Major Association teams represented and this year it looks likely all six MA’s will be represented, and coupled with the New Zealand Over 60’s team heading away to Australia, Over 60’s cricket is going from strength to strength.”
Internationally Vintage Cricket has been running for years, where Australia, South Africa and England all have official teams. Baker is hoping for Vintage Cricket in New Zealand to grow at a similar speed to Australia.
“Over 60’s and for that matter Over 70’s cricket is the fastest growing sport in Australia. The Melbourne competition see’s over 50 teams playing every week during the season!”
International tournaments and tours have even been taken place.
“Australia and England have played against each other a few times over the years and Australia has toured South Africa, New Zealand (twice) and England on numerous occasions. Australia wants to get to the position of having an Over 60’s world cup, but that is still some years away.”
Baker states that Vintage Cricket is not just about competing, and keeping fit.
“Over 60’s cricket is designed to provide players with that opportunity while at the same time reinforcing the friendship and fun that can be derived from the game. The rules allow for maximum participation from all players.”
If you thought your chance to represent on the sports field was done, then you might have to think again.
The New Zealand Over 60’s squad: Team manager/player Grant Baker (Wgtn); Captain Rod Smith (Ak); John Davidson(Ak), Gary Rudolph(Ak), John Steer(Ak), Simon Payton (Ak); Gavin Chatfield(ND), Greg Schumacher(ND), John Renshaw (ND); Allan Pond(CD), Brent Clements (CD) and Dave Harle(Wgtn), Murray Riley(Wgtn), Channa Jayasinha(Wgtn) and Dave Miller(Cant).
