THIRTY cricket veterans, players in either their sixties or seventies, representing two West Gippsland teams, recently returned from the ever-popular Echuca Cricket Carnival. Teams from all over the state competed in three divisions over four days of friendly but keenly contested matches. Both Gippsland sides had players from Phillip Island, Inverloch, Korumburra, Packenham, Koo Wee Rup, Wonthaggi, Foster and Leongatha.
The carnival is the culmination of another successful season of veterans’ cricket. The competition runs throughout the usual cricket
season, with games played on Sundays (over 60s) and Tuesdays (over 70s) each fortnight. Sides from Melbourne plus several local clubs make up the competition with an emphasis on participation as well as catering for the competitive spirit that stays with all who have played the game from an early age.
The competition is administered through Veterans Cricket Victoria, which oversees registrations, fixtures and insurance. Often described as a men’s shed on grass, aging ex-players get the chance to continue their love of the sport. Games are played on both turf and hard wickets, and travel to Melbourne venues is usually by carpooling or via a community bus. Friendships are fostered or renewed in the forty-over games, or when taking part in the usual change room banter, plus during the after-game celebrations with refreshments and a barbecue.
If you or anyone you know would be interested in rediscovering their love of the great game and still has the urge to snare a wicket, or send a ball to the boundary, further information about next season’s competition is available from Brendon Thomas on 0437 930 851.
