‘Ashes’ match for cricket veterans

By Kath Gannaway
YARRA Valley cricketers who can claim the title ‘60 not out’ will be pitching in next month for a special bushfire fund-raiser.
The Whitehorse Over-60s Cricket Section is hosting the Bushfire Relief Cricket Games at the Seville Sports Complex on Sunday, 6 December, to raise funds for the Kinglake and Marysville sporting communities.
Former Yarra Valley players will take part along with players from around Victoria including from Box Hill, Ringwood, Boronia, Ferntree Gully and the Mornington Peninsula.
Games start at 11.30am with four teams competing on two ovals.
Organiser Norm McLeod said they are hoping to have a Victorian ‘cricket identity’ lend support to the event and an appearance, and possibly a stint on the ground.
The Yarra Valley Cricket Umpires Association will provide the umpires for what promises to be a keenly contested match.
Mr McLeod said over-60s cricket had grown since it was formed early in 2003 as the Victorian Over Sixties Cricket Association.
That first season culminated in a sports day at the home of cricket – the MCG later that year and since, players have toured New Zealand and England.
The association’s fourth interstate carnival will be held in Launceston on 14 to 20 November and there is a planned Round Robin competition planned for Singapore in April 2010 with five or six countries expected to take part.
Current interstate sides are Victoria, South Australia, the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania.
Mr McLeod said members were looking forward to a great day’s cricket and an enjoyable community event.
The ‘boys’ will take to the pitch at 11.30am and throughout the day there will be lucky prizes and other opportunities to contribute to the fundraising.
Admission is by donation at the gate.
“We have had excellent co-operation and assistance from the YVCA, the Yarra Valley Cricket Umpires’ Association in getting this event off the ground and would like to thank them and the donors of the lucky ticket prizes,” Mr McLeod said.
“Hopefully, the weather is agreeable too,” he added.
For details call Mr McLeod on 0427 421 034.