Veterans Cricket
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 6:15 pmJust finished my first full season of Veterans Cricket, and have really enjoyed it.
Over in Victoria it is really a very well organized competition with several metro & regional comps operating. I played in a team based out at Croydon, with one of my workmates, he is the captain. We play in the over 50's comp. There are also over 40's, and over 60's. The over 60's is particularly well organized mid week matches, carnivals, over seas trips. I can see myself pushing on now, albeit 9 years away still. Essentially the games are a little more social than regular Saturday games with the young bucks. There are still some decent players getting around though in the 40's & 50's.
I can't honestly say there are any blokes I would describe as "quick bowlers" a few handy types, one bloke squared me up (copped that one in the plums) but usually it is slow medium stuff. A few ok spinners about. Most teams have a few good batters, then it drops away to the "tragics"....
Games are of modified rules - 36 overs a side, batter retire at 40, bowlers max 6 overs, each team must use 7 bowlers. 180 will win most games, but 200 is doable. Only 7 games (8 team comp) and finals. Games every second week, so plenty of recovery time, which is needed. The better players are blokes who still play Saturday Cricket.
Our team made the semi finals however went down to a team of mainly Sri Lankan blokes. They play the game very differently to Australians, and are best described as very excitable!
I don't know of a structured Vets comp in SA, certainly not at an over 50's levels. Despite that I understand SA have entered an over 50's team at the National championships to be held at Easter this year in Orange. Don't know where they will select the players from?
In Victoria, it was a matter of nominating yourself and a selection panel would look at the my cricket stats, including rep games and choose 4 teams. I considered nominating, but have other plans for Easter, so I decided not to go. I had a decent season & get the feeling I could well of got a game!
Always next year I guess. Very happy to have topped the batting for my club, and I think in the top 3 in the league, due to the retirement rule - I averaged 110 for the season.
Over in Victoria it is really a very well organized competition with several metro & regional comps operating. I played in a team based out at Croydon, with one of my workmates, he is the captain. We play in the over 50's comp. There are also over 40's, and over 60's. The over 60's is particularly well organized mid week matches, carnivals, over seas trips. I can see myself pushing on now, albeit 9 years away still. Essentially the games are a little more social than regular Saturday games with the young bucks. There are still some decent players getting around though in the 40's & 50's.
I can't honestly say there are any blokes I would describe as "quick bowlers" a few handy types, one bloke squared me up (copped that one in the plums) but usually it is slow medium stuff. A few ok spinners about. Most teams have a few good batters, then it drops away to the "tragics"....
Games are of modified rules - 36 overs a side, batter retire at 40, bowlers max 6 overs, each team must use 7 bowlers. 180 will win most games, but 200 is doable. Only 7 games (8 team comp) and finals. Games every second week, so plenty of recovery time, which is needed. The better players are blokes who still play Saturday Cricket.
Our team made the semi finals however went down to a team of mainly Sri Lankan blokes. They play the game very differently to Australians, and are best described as very excitable!
I don't know of a structured Vets comp in SA, certainly not at an over 50's levels. Despite that I understand SA have entered an over 50's team at the National championships to be held at Easter this year in Orange. Don't know where they will select the players from?
In Victoria, it was a matter of nominating yourself and a selection panel would look at the my cricket stats, including rep games and choose 4 teams. I considered nominating, but have other plans for Easter, so I decided not to go. I had a decent season & get the feeling I could well of got a game!
Always next year I guess. Very happy to have topped the batting for my club, and I think in the top 3 in the league, due to the retirement rule - I averaged 110 for the season.