Over 50s World Cup Up-dated THE FINAL from Downunder

05/12/18

AUSTRALIA WIN WORLD CUP 

Australia won the Over 50s World Cup to-day defeating Pakistan by 3 runs [165 ao. v. 162 ao] in the Final at Drummoyne Oval, Sydney. 

CHALLENGE TO READERS

The article I wrote is not specifically about Notts CCC . Nevertheless it is around the potential advancement of seniors' cricket in Notts. Over 50s cricketers in Notts should be looking to playing not only for their County in the County competition but also for England at the next World Cup in Cape Town, SA in 2020 - what a great opportunity. Now then could HBD followers name a possible 11 comprised of ex-Notts CCC players who might fit the bill? The player must be Over 50 in 2020 but also Under 60 as the 60s have their own competition and you can't play in both as I understand it. Cheers, Andy 



04/12/18

Andy again reports from Downunder:

Semi Final at the Rosedale Oval

My match report to-day starts off with a special "get well soon" to one of the England players; Raja Hayat [Leicestershire] . Raja is recovering in a Sydney hospital this morning. He was out in the heat of the day batting. He had been running hard for the 2s and 3s on the vast ground. Unfortunately he collapsed. An ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital. I don't wish to speculate on his medical condition but he is ok and the thoughts of all connected with the game are with him. David Silverman and I were only talking to him in good cheer just prior to the commencement of the game.

The game itself..

England won the toss and elected to bat. A disastrous start followed. The first three batsmen Stratton, captain Loveday and Myles going for 1,0 and 0 respectively. Stephen Foster who we have christened Lord Foster of Rotherham for his star studded performances throughout this tournament and Mel Hussein [brother of Nasser] set about the recovery. They both batted superbly against top drawer bowling. The Pakistan side is sprinkled with ex full internationals eg Ijaz Ahmed, Sajid Ali, Shahid Anwar to name but three.   Foster again top scored for England with 71 , Hussein made 56 whilst Raja Hayat had notched 24 runs before he was stretchered off the field. England's total was 184 for 5 or 5 for 184 as they say here in their 45 overs. Butt was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with 2 for 23 in 5 overs.

Pakistan's reply started badly for them with Anwar clean bowled by a beauty for 1 that nipped back from Calvin "Judas" Priest [Shropshire] .  Sean Cooper of Suffolk then trapped Qureshi LBW for 5. The early breakthrough for England did not materialise into a winning position. Catches went down and opportunities missed. Nevertheless England's bowlers did a generally sterling job in containing the Pakistan batsmen and the runs per over rate climbed to 6. Sajid Ali though steered Pakistan home with a match winning century - 102 not out at the close. 185 for 5 or 5 for 185. Ali had played 13 ODIs for Pakistan between 1984 and 1997 and scored over 15,000 first class runs.

England should be proud of the way they played in every way. I was quite touched to receive an official England touring tie as a thank you for assisting at the games by 'putting up the numbers' ably assisted by my Middlesex supporting friend David Silverman .

Australia narrowly defeated New Zealand in the other semi final.

What next for England.

They play their second "Ashes" match at  Bexley Oval on Thursday and the third and final one at Alan Davidson Oval, Mascot on Friday before flying back to Blighty at the weekend. Currently Australia lead 1-0.

A note about Rosedale Oval. It's the home of Fairfield-Liverpool CC who play Sydney First Grade Cricket.

Cheers

Andy

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