Australia v England Over 70s 2nd Test at North Sydney Oval - series update

England Return Home Triumphant 

England Over 70s defeated their Australian counterparts yesterday at Manuka Oval, Canberra in the 3rd and final Test thus winning the series 2-1 and retaining the Seevent 'Ashes' Trophy

England 271-8 [50] George Fox 87 Derek Birmingham 46 David Ingham 35

Australia 156 all out [44] Gary Masden 39 Ross Chapman 38 Ron Walton 5 for 9

Welshman Ron Walton swung  the  game England's way with a devastating spell. He plays his cricket for Merthyr CC and was a former coach at Swansea City FC  

The England party met the British High Commissioner for a formal reception in Canberra last night . They travel to Sydney this morning  to fly back to Heathrow

cheers Andy

PS I hope to go to the NSW v. Victoria Sheffield Shield game at SCG on Friday

NB Seevent Plastics Limited are a main sponsor of cricket at this level. It is a shame that the cricket doesn't get more publicity  

30/10/15

Aussies square the series

England batted first on a beautiful, sunny Sydney morning. The first over was bowled at 10am on the same strip used in the Matador Cup only a few days earlier. It was clearly a batsman's wicket. Australia bowled tightly and the prolific run machine from Essex ,John Stuck, was caught by Kratzmann off Towner for 10. Stuck had notched 103 not out in the 1st Test . In 2015 he had scored 1004 runs pre-tour including 3 centuries. Another Sussex man , George Fox, batted well for 71 before being bowled by Queenslander Neville Kratzmann . The England innings was boosted by some hitting from Suffolk's Graham Penny who was out for 40 lbw by Kratzmann. Derek Birmingham from Kent with 22 not out and another Sussex player Howard Johnson with 42 not out concluded the England effort. However, one always felt that par score was @ 250 and the total at 207-4 [50] was well short of that . Credit to the Aussie bowlers, my pick was Ken Campbell of East Gosford NSW who though wicketless went for a miserly 28 in his 10 overs.

Australia's veterans made full use of a great batting track and though Des Fuss was out early to a good ball from Udho Maharaj , another member of the Sussex County Championship winning side, the Queensland pair of Chapman and Kratzmann won it in a canter for the hosts. Ross Chapman skippers the Australian side and finished on 93 not out whilst Neville Kratzmann made 87 not out. Pick of the bowlers was Mahraj with 1 for 23 in 10 overs and  Welshman Ron Walton with a return of 8 overs 0-25

The game was played in a wonderful spirit with plenty of skill displayed . The veterans use guile and spin to a great degree when bowling as clearly the pace is no longer there. The batsmen showed a delightful range of shots. It was great to watch these blokes playing so well at the age they do - will there be an Over 80s competition!?

I spoke to a member of the England squad, David Ingham, and recognised his Manchester accent immediately, he now lives in Northamptonshire - he had, sadly, been 12th man in both Tests - it was his first time ever in Australia and thought it was a fantastic place [I share that sentiment!]

It struck me that there were no England players from the Counties of Durham, Yorkshire, Lancashire , Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire...hmmm. Come on and get involved in Over 70s cricket those Counties.. there must be some talented septuagenarian cricketers residing north of the Trent surely!

The England party now head for Canberra. Unfortunately the weather forecast is not good - heavy rain is predicted. It would be a shame if it spoiled what is set up to be a fascinating 3rd and decisive Test at Manuka Oval on Tuesday November 2nd

cheers Andy