England 70+ Internationals

Some Background

Just how would a 70s World Cup winning side get on against a top club side, those asking the question found out at the lovely Bishop’s Stortford ground on a sunny Sunday in early June.

The home side included a Herts over 50s opening bat, a number of 40/50 year olds who have played good cricket and bowlers who were a little livelier than recently experienced by England players other than when taking on the Australians.

This is the club where Simon Sargent, an England squad member, plays his cricket and it was Simon who helped arrange the fixture as part of the club’s celebrations for their 200^th anniversary.

The Match – England bat first

After a meal at the club the night before and the usual England warm ups things got under way in the most explosive fashion when Duncan Elder received a snorter of a yorker from the clubs pacy opening bowler and wonder his way back to the pavilion after just one ball. Game on.

Andrew Peters played a few pleasant drives and pulls before slashing a shot above the head of gully who, unsurprisingly to those who know him, took off and caught it, Peters, caught Swadkin, bowled Bennet. Quite how Chris Swadkin, the former 70s Captain, talked his way into the home side we do not know although, perhaps with the exception of Andrew, the England team were pleased to see him.

The home side’s array of lively bowlers continued to make life difficult for England batters but an innings of 36 off 70 from Sarge helped steady things down then John Hall 20 off 27, John Evans 36 off 52 and an unlucky Chris Evans, adjudged lbw, moved things along before an inventive and quick witted partnership between Derek Towe 43 off 47 and Godfrey Lamb 33 off 23 took the England score to 232 for 6 off 45 overs.

Pick of the Bishop’s Stortford bowlers were Bennet with 2 for 31 off 9 and Premadasa with 1 for 16 off 8.

The Bishops reply Within their ranks the club had a Herts 50s player, Matthew Drury, and their innings was really all about him with useful contributions coming from Fred Hussain, Clint Williams, and Mark Smith. Not shy in going for it Drury decided not to wait for the bad ball, as in truth there were few on offer, instead he simply wondered down the track dropped to one knee and smashed the ball back over the bowlers head or hoisted it over square. Relief, as it turned out only temporary, for England came when the home captain retired Drury when in the 60s and normal service was resumed with the World Champions picking up wickets through straight bowling and excellent work behind the stumps by Godfrey Lamb.

So, England on top and cruising to an inevitable win, well not quite, as Drury re-entered the scene with just one wicket required and off, he went again, down the track and up and over as odds on the win started to drift a little.

Then with just 22 required for the win Drury became the final wicket as he swished a ball from Marcus Young to deep backward square where his club mate Simon Sargent took the catch to give England the match in what was a wonderful days cricket.

Outstanding, wicket to wicket bowling by Mike Stafford 4 for 21 off 5 and something less conventional although equally potent from Marcus Young 3 for 44 off 8.4 were the stand out bowling performances for England. On the fielding front the sprint and dive from Marcus in his follow through to catch Bennett at somewhere near silly mid off was a highlight of a high class performance from this England squad.

News Update on England 70s Plans

Trials

• The first Down Under Tour selection trial takes place this Sunday, the 15^th June, at Frocester CC, GL10 3TW, match starts at 1.00pm
• The second trial day takes place on 29^th June at Farnham Royal CC, SL2 3AW, match starts at 1.00pm

England V Wales Over 65s – At Frocester CC 9/10^th of September

As part of the preparation for the Down Under Tour, where England will seek to retain both the Silver Ashes and World Cup in Australian and New Zealand the tour squad will take on an over 65 Wales team in back to back games on 9/10^th of September at Frocester CC. More match details to follow.

Richard Allen, of the charity RALPHH presents Chris Lowe, England 70+ Manager with a defibrillator for each of the England and 60s and 70s squads.

The kind provision of these two defibrillators ensures that both international squads will have the appropriate assistance to hand should the need occur.

For more about RALPHH and their mission to provide support for the health and well-being of sports people visit: https://www.ra-lphh.org

Match Report

70s County Champions Middlesex v England 70s World Cup Winners  Played at Brondesbury CC on Sunday 27^th April

England 163 for 7 lost to Middlesex 165 for 9

On a wonderful spring day in north London a clash of titans, with Middlesex buoyed by the inclusion of three “guests” and the England manager’s failure to claim Mike Stafford, a local hero, and World Cup star, for the day.

Hardly a run fest, this was a tight, nervy affair played on an early season track by early season players which never the less turned in to a grand game of cricket.

England batted first and struggled against tight bowling from Nick Cook, 7-12-1 and Terry Edwards (Kent), 9-23-2 with only Simon Sargent, 50 retired not out, and Derek Towe, 44 retired not out, being able to make any headway as, much like their partnership in the World Cup final, they dropped and ran then found the boundary when the field was brought in.

With the retired batsmen out of the way Mike Stafford took centre stage for Middlesex with a fine bowling display rewarded by figures of 8-19-3.

England’s total of 163 seemed below par but that was very nearly not the case.

The Middlesex innings was almost but note quite a mirror image of England’s, they struggled against good bowling and tight fielding yet found a way through a fluent knock by Yonus Shafi, 37, and an energetic Daniel Richards, 53 not out, to take the score along.

As Shafi succumbed to Nick Andrews, who ran through No’ s 1, 2 and 3 to finish with figures of 9-15-3 and Richards retired, only to return in the vital last overs, the England bowlers, Peter Hayes, 9-37-3, in particular, took a grip of proceedings.

An explanation is required, those of our readers who know him will be stunned to see on the score card that Andrew Peters opened the bowling for England, well in his dreams perhaps but not today for Andrew read Peter Hayes who bowled two spells the second of which he managed under his own name. Its early season for everyone.

Step forward again Terry Edwards, 22 not out, as he kept his head and his wicket whilst others came and went to eventually take the County Champions home in partnership with the returning Richards and with just three balls to spare.

Kevin Beaumont

Prior to the games commencement the England Manager reflected upon the sad loss of Kevin who had died on Friday 25^th April after a short illness.

In 2023 Kevin travelled down to Australia with the England party to umpire all but our ODI games, he and his wife Helen, became part of a close group, he joined in pre tour nets, won all but a few of our travelling quizzes and ticked off one of his bucket list ambitions by joining a group to walk up, and down, the arc of the Sydney Harbour bridge.

Later that year Kevin umpired all three ODI’s in the home Silver Ashes series where his expertise as an umpire, fair mindedness and enthusiasm for the game made him popular with both playing squads.

A great servant of Buckinghamshire Cricket, county secretary for twenty seven years and appointed BEM for his services to Minor County Cricket, Kevin’s full obituary will appear elsewhere but from an England squad perspective we can but agree with these words from the Australian 70s Manager, Ian Gibbson,

“Kevin was a very good, very respected umpire. Its sometimes a challenge when umpiring “Home” games, but we had complete confidence in Kevin’s knowledge, judgement, and communications. We’ll miss him greatly”

So will we all.

The England’s 70s World Cup winning squad have two further matches together before we set out to form a new group for our “Down Under Tour” when we will seek to retain both the Ashes and our World Champions title in Australia and New Zealand in March 26.

See below for our match plans and details of the selection process for the “Down Under Tour”

World Cup Squad Games

1)      Against the county champions Middlesex and others on Sunday, April 27^th at Brondesbury CC, NW2 2EB, start time 1.00pm

2)      Against a Bishop Stortford CC select side to celebrate their 250^th anniversary on Sunday, June 8^th CM2 3TD, start time 1.00pm

“Down Under Tour” Trial Games

1)      15^th June at Frocester CC, GL10 3TW, start time 1.00pm

2)      29^th June at Farnham Royal CC, SL62 3AW, start time 1.00pm

“Down Under Tour” Selection Criteria

–           We invite nominations from county committees rather than individuals players, and those nominated MUST be available to tour Australia and New Zealand during a 4/5 week period from late February to end of March 2026.

–           Nominees must be 70s years of age during 2026, proof of age will be required to participate in the 70s World Cup

–           Tourist will have to cover their travel and hotel cost, we will aim to cover match and match day food cost, for players alone, through our sponsorship and advertising partners.

–           Nominations close on 31^st March please send nominated player names and contact details together with a brief note on why your county feels the nominee should be an England trialist, to: Chris Lowe at [email protected]. If in need of a chat to clarify a point please call me at 07860 722 406

Player Standards and Qualities

Over the past few years England 70s have won an Ashes series in Australia, retained the Ashes at home and won the inaugural 70s World Cup, along the way we have defined our expectations of an England 70s cricketer to be as below.

–           A key element in our success has been the fostering of a superb team ethic so we will be looking for players who will contribute to that culture – i.e. Someone who always puts the team’s cause first and is prepared to muck in when needed to carry bags, take drinks out and generally support their team mates in and out of the match day environment.

–    Fitness, the ability to run say four x 2s in an over, can bowl the last over as if it were his first and is dynamic (for a 70 year old) in the field. All England 70s players participate in warm ups and warm downs on match days regardless of if they are playing or not.

–           As a batter has a county batting average, over a number of years, higher than forty and at a good strike rate or as a bowler is a mean wicket taker with an ability to remove top order batters.

–           As a player is attuned to match situations and has both the ability and resolve to produce the kind of innings or bowling spell which is required by his team at the time.

JOHN EVANS IS THE IMC OVER-70s PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to John Evans from England, who has been named the IMC Over-70s Player of the Year for 2024. The decision was made by the IMC Over-70s Age Group Committee.

Evans captained the England squad as they won the inaugural IMC Over-70s World Cup in his home country in July of 2024. In doing so he demonstrated his ability to build and lead a cohesive and spirited group that proved so fundamental to their success during the seven match tournament.

His own qualities as a player – scoring 227 runs in five innings across the tournament, 78 of those in a match-winning partnership under pressure in the Grand Final – further endorse John’s winning of this prestigious award.

For more on this story plus a chance to see John batting at the World Cup final, see: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=international%20masters%20cricket

England 70+ News Page

2024 – 70s World Cup Tournament Fixtures

All matches commence at 12.00 noon except for the final at Wormsley which starts at 11.00am

Match Day One	Free Day	Matches	Venues	Post Code
Sunday 28th July	Canada	1.1 England v Sri Lanka	High Wycombe	HP11 1DE
		1.2 New Zealand v India	Amersham	HP7 0RN
		1.3 Australia v Wales	Finchampstead	RG40 4JR
Match Day Two	Free Day	Matches	Venues	Post Code
Tuesday 30th July	Wales	2.1 New Zealand v Sri Lanka	Beaconsfield	HP9 2HZ
		2.2 India v England	Slough	SL3 7LT
		2.3 Australia v Canada	Teddington	TW11 0EP
Match Day Three	Free Day	Matches	Venues	Post Code
Thursday 1st August	Australia	3.1 New Zealand v England	Marlow	SL7 2AE
		3.2 Sri Lanka v India	Farnham Royal	SL2 3AW
		3.3 Wales v Canada	Bishop’s Stortford	CM23 2TD
Match Day Four	Free Day	Matches	Venues	Post Code
Sunday 4th August	England	4.1 New Zealand v Australia	Farnham Royal	SL2 3AW
		4.2 India v Wales	Marlow	SL7 2AE
		4.3 Sri Lanka v Canada	High Wycombe	HP11 1DE
Match Day Five	Free Day	Matches	Venues	Post Code
Tuesaday 6th August	Sri Lanka	5.1 New Zealand v Wales	Bishop’s Stortford	CM23 2TD
		5.2 India v Canada	Cookham Dean	SL6 9LF
		5.3 Australia v England	Beaconsfield	HP9 2HZ
Match Day Six	Free Day	Matches	Venues	Post Code
Thursday 8th August	India	6.1 Canada v New Zealand	Marlow	SL7 2AE
		6.2 Australia v Sri Lanka	Royal Ascot	SL5 7LQ
		6.3 Wales v England	Bishop’s Stortford	CM23 2TD
Match Day Seven	Free Day	Matches	Venues	Post Code
Friday 9th August	New Zealand	7.1 India v Australia	Royal Ascot	SL5 7LQ
		7.2 Wales v Sri Lanka	High Wycombe	HP11 1DE
		7.3 England v Canada	Wargrave	RG10 8BG
Final : Sunday11th August		v	Wormsley	HP14 3YE

16/05/2024

England Squad for the 70s World Cup – England 2024

After conversations with county representatives and our scouts around the country as well as a look at a number of talented cricketers in two trial matches, the selectors have chosen the following squad to represent England in this summer’s inaugural 70s World Cup:

Captain: John Evans – Gloucestershire	Vice Captain: Derek Towe – Kent
Andrew Peters – Surrey	Mike Stafford – Middlesex
John Hall – Surrey	Nick Andrews – Cambridgeshire
Chris Evans – Surrey	Duncan Elder – Hertfordshire
Mike Kenyon – Yorkshire	Nigel Belletty – Gloucestershire
Simon Sargent – Essex	Godfrey Lamb – Worcestershire
Tim Smith – Essex	Peter Hayes – Worcestershire
Marcus Young – Essex	Steve Sheppard – Somerset

With over two months of the season to play before the tournament starts on 28th July the selectors have taken the precaution of inviting the following players to be on standby:

Bob Pittaway – Worcestershire	John Turnton – Gloucestershire
Brian Shipley – Buckinghamshire	Keith Daniels – Gloucestershire
Martin Burgess – Sussex

England 70+ News Page

21/08/2023

Match Report Third ODI of 2023 Silver Ashes played at Maidenhead and Bray CC on Sunday 20th August.

The Maidenhead & Bray CC ground lies in the lovely village of Bray and was since the early 70s where Sir Michael Parkinson and his family played their cricket, supported the club, and felt at home in the company of friends.
As a local resident the England Manager was able to say a few words of reflection on the occasion of Sir Michael’s passing.
Those gathered were reminded of deeds of the recent past by Stuart Bulger who has also sadly passed away as Barry Hart an old England 70s team mate reflected upon Stuart’s boundary line catch to seal the home teams winning of the Silver Ashes in 2018.
Those sad reflections over the Salvation Army band present led the teams in fine renditions of their national anthems.
England Captain, John Evans won the toss and chose to bowl.
The Australian tourists were missing a few through injuries including probably their best bat to date Kevin Lanigan, those who stood in though made their contributions to what was to turn out to be a game of ups and downs before a final denouement which was either comical, disappointing or nerve wracking depending upon which side of the fence you were sitting.
As England took the field a familiar pattern emerged, Australians got in then got out and Tim Smith (2 for 20 off 10) bowled beautifully and it looked for a while that the tourist might fail to reach a defendable score. Amongst a flurry of wickets, a masterpiece as Ian Petherick, so recently the nemesis of England bowlers dropped the ball towards square leg and set off for what he hoped was a well-judged single only to see said ball overtake him and scatter the stumps at the bowler’s end as keeper Nigel Belletty sprinted eight yards to pick up and throw on the turn to leave Ian a little way from safety.
What the tourist needed now at 71 for 6 was an innings turning stand and they found one as Murray Harrison and Vince Bulger came together with a mix of caution and aggression to take the score to 156 before Bulger was bowled by Southwell for 49. Around about this stage England’s catching went through what might be described as a ragged patch as not one, not two but five quite catchable balls were spilled as the sides very high fielding standards slipped for a while.
That situation was corrected as Mike Stafford caught Harrison off Southwell (2 for 33 of 9) for 42 and Australia ended their innings at 182 for 8.
Mick Kenyon was his usual tidy self with 1 for 26 off 10 and Mike Stafford bowled his five overs for 17 runs.

When England batted, they lost Ian Caunce early on to a catch by Tim Spear off Colin Cook who went on to bowl with great skill and control to take 4 England wickets for 28 off his 10 overs. As a unit it’s probably fare to say that the Australian bowlers came to the party a little late in the series but in this match, they showed their true colours and made the England batters work hard for every run.
After the loss of Caunce, Andrew Peters and John Evans set about repeating the formula of the previous two weeks as both looked to dominate the bowling although with much more difficulty on this occasion. Peters (32) again fell when set whilst Evans (87) who has been wonderfully consistent across the series, pushed on but succumbed to Cook, caught by Petherick leaving England on 156 for 5 with just 27 in a little more than 10 overs required for the win.
The tourist needed wickets to be in with a chance and they came through a mix of splendid bowling under pressure and a marvelous pick up and throw at one stump by Headlam to run out Tim Smith before he got off the mark.
It was at this stage that Vince Bulger again came to fore with death bowling of great skill, just back of a length and varying his pace to make scoring to a well set field very difficult indeed. Simon Sargent did well to marshal the English response he and last man in Mick Kenyon, who had doubtless seen all this before found themselves arriving at the last ball needing two win one for the tie.
The tension of the game brought out something that had been missing from the series to date, crowd support as Aussie, Aussie, Aussie chimed out into the early Sunday evening air, perhaps it played a part in the eventual outcome as Sargent played the ball wide right of bowler Bulger who shied at the stumps at his end and missed just before Sarge arrived in his crease, Kenyon was still vulnerable though as the ball was picked up and thrown to keeper Murray Harrison with Mick a few yards short of safety, Murray, out of his ground was urged on by Aussie, Aussie, Aussie to quickly throw the stumps down, he did just that and missed.
Which just goes to show……….. you should never hurry a Murray.
Nigel Belletty was chosen by the Australians as England’s man of the match for his masterpiece and generally excellent glove work whilst Vince Bulger was chosen by England as the Australian man of the match for his top top all round performance.
England won the series two-nil with one match tied and Veterans/Seniors cricket won new friends, increased awareness and players, wives and partners created memories which will last their life times.
Till the next time.

17/08/2023

Cricket’s Silver Ashes confirms you’re never too old for international debut

Follow this link to view the excellent article published in the Guardian newspaper this week https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/aug/16/cricket-silver-ashes-england-over-70s-australia

16/08/2023

Match Report Second ODI of the 2023 Silver Ashes played at Wellington CC on Sunday 13th August.

At a wonderfully attractive ground which nestles under the Wrekin, a striking hill in east Shropshire, England 70+ retained the Silver Ashes with a confident display of high-quality cricket. There were wobbles along the way, but the depth of England’s batting and control offered by the bowling and fielding unit ensured that the Silver Ashes continue to rest in the northern hemisphere.

Opener Ian Caunce was carrying an injury so Derek Towe of Kent who had missed the previous game through illness came into the England side and Australia shuffled their pack in an effort find a winning formula.

Skipper John Evans won the toss and elected to bat first on what looked like a good cricket wicket with Andrew Peters and Evans himself opening the innings.

The skipper is on a run of form, 136 in his last county innings and 114 not out in the one before that which was the first ODI so expectations of him were high and he did not disappoint with a very fluent 57off 84 before being caught by his counterpart off Bulger. At the other end Peters played some cracking cover drives having that tall man’s long reach and a high back lift certainly helps him look the part and he went on his merry way until being caught behind off the Aussies man of the match Mike Riley (3-34 off 10)

We were into the Australian spinners now as the usually reliable seam bowling unit of Cook and Kasputis were struggling to find a rhythm, the third seamer Southall (1-36 off 10) did his bit, but it was the spinners who undermined the English middle order. A pattern development, do the hard work, get yourself in then somehow get yourself out and the cream of the English batting unit found themselves back in the hutch taking in what was admittedly a fantastic view of a special cricket ground.

Still cometh the hour cometh the men and here those men were Nick Andrews (37 off 48) and Tim Smith (28 off 27) a cricketer with the fluid swing of a hockey player which indeed he is and for England no less. They together with the usual entertaining contribution for Stephen Sheppard (16 not out from 11) took the England score from 50 overs to a respectable 236 for 8. Game on!

A word for Tommy Stafford before we go to tea who came into the England team to keep wicket whist Nigel Bellety was otherwise engaged, what a wonderfully nibble and active keeper Tommy is it’s a real pleasure to see him at work and hear his always positive support for his teammates.

Tea gave the assembled more chance to enjoy the place we were in for this ODI, if you are a cricket fan it’s a bit of heaven, even the lack of sun and warmth failed to steal its charm. This is what Jack Russell wicket keeper of renown and painter of repute made of it:

With a marvelous tea out of the way, Wellington CC really did us proud, it was over to opening bowlers Smith and Sheppard to make what they could out of the conditions and Smith (1-36 off 10) obliged by having captain Wood out lbw having faced just 6 balls.
Then strangely a pattern emerged (where have we heard that before?) where batters got in then got out and it was firstly Nick Andrews who was persuading them to do the latter then those master of spin, artists of twirl Mick Kenyon (2 for 27 of 10) and Martin Southwell with identical figures who was later adjudged the English man of the match by the Australians, it must be the way you part your hair Mick.
Amongst the clatter of wickets two Australian batters stood out Ian Petherick (31 off 57) always called Mr Petherick in the score book and even he doesn’t know why, and Kevin Lanigan (50 off 61) who really is a high-class bat with that lovely walking clip between mid-wicket and square leg which those in the know say denotes a touch of class. Mr Petherick was run out by Derek Towe, we had to get him into this report somehow, in what was a bit of a kamikaze affair and Towe popped up again to catch Lanigan in the deep, never a doubt Derek, off Southwell.
A flutter by Bulger (15 off 29) and the Silver Ashes were retained with Australia closing at 145 all out and England taking a two-nil lead with one game to go at Maidenhead and Bray.
A big thank you to Wellington CC for their wonderful hospitality and support.

08/08/2023

Match Report:  First ODI of 2023 Silver Ashes Series played at Colchester and East Essex CC on Sunday 6th August

After extremely wet conditions on Saturday only the diligence of the Colchester and East Essex CC ground staff, who worked through the night, ensured this first in the three match ODI series went ahead. Our thanks to them for all their hard work.
Given the generally wet conditions and light covering of grass on the wicket on winning the toss Aussie captain Tom Wood was seduced into having a bowl, in retrospect Tom might think it a toss best lost.
England opened with Andrew Peters of Surrey and Ian Caunce of Lancashire, two forceful batters who found themselves frustrated as a series of hard hit drives and pulls crept to a halt inside the boundary in the wet conditions.
Caunce succumbed first caught for 18 off a Kasputis clever, slower, and wider one whilst Peters was joined by the skipper John Evans of Gloucester before he succumbed bowled by a jubilant Southwell who was a bit miffed to have had an LBW shout turned down the ball before!
Evans though looked in great nick and so it proved as after a measured start he cut, pulled, and drove his way to a fine 114 not out off 125 balls ably assisted by first Simon Sargent (28) of Essex then Nick Andrews (33) of Cambs and Hunts.
Having been put in to bat England found themselves at 254 for 7 from their 50 overs.
The pick of the Australian bowlers was Ian Davies who came on belatedly to pick up 3 for 26 off his 5 overs.
In response Australian got off to the worst possible start and England to the best having skipper and star batter Tom Wood bowled by a Steve Sheppard outswingers that started somewhere outside leg and darted back in to significantly disturb middle stump.
From then on Australian batsmen found the going hard as Tim Smith of Essex proved mightily difficult to get away and spin twins, not identical in any way, Mick Kenyon of Yorkshire and Martin Southwell of Essex kept things so tight that opener Peter Neville was unable break free and found himself reaching his 50 after 123 balls!
Contributions from Murray Harrison 25 off 16 and the stand out knock of the innings by Ian Davies 61 off 56 gave the Australians some impetus but the English bowlers were in the driving seat and brought home the win with Australia ending their 50 overs at 202 for 5.
Mike Kenyon picked up 2 for 36 off 10 and Steve Sheppard came back to pick up a second wicket to end with 2 for 39 of ten.
England chose Ian Davies as the Australian man of the match for his three wickets and free scoring 61 and Australia had little trouble in choosing John Evans as England man of the match for his dominant 114 not out.
Last time John faced the Aussies he got a first baller in the Melbourne sun shine. That’s cricket for you!
On to Wellington CC (Telford) now for the second match of the series this Sunday with a start time of 12.30pm.

The England squad for that game remains the same as for the first match in the series.

Silver Ashes Squad

After two further trial matches against Kent, where the England Select team had a comfortable victory, and a Chairman’s squad which took the honors on the day, see full details on the England Seniors Play Cricket site, the England 70s management group have selected the following squad for the three match 2023 home Ashes series:
Captain: John Evans of Gloucestershire
Vice-Captain: Derek Towe of Kent

Ian Caunce of Lancashire Steve Sheppard of Somerset Trevor Spindler of Berks & Bucks Andy Peters of Surrey John Hall of Surrey Nick Andrews of Cams/Hunts

Simon Sargent of Essex Mike Stafford of Middlesex Chris Swadkin of Kent Martin Southwell of Essex Tim Smith of Essex Mick Kenyon of Yorkshire Nigel Belletty (wk) of Gloucestershire

Standby wicket keepers:
–         Tommy Stafford of Lincs/Ridings for the Wellington game
–         Martin Burgess of Sussex for the games at Colchester and Maidenhead and Bray

ODI Dates and Venues – 12.30 pm start unless stated otherwise and 50 over games
Game One – 6th August at Colchester & East Essex CC
Game Two – 13th August at Wellington CC (Telford)
Game Three – 20th August at Maidenhead & Bray CC – 12pm Start

We expect this to be a keenly contested series between two highly motivated and talented squads your support at games would be greatly appreciated, so come along, cheer on England and bump into a few old friends around the ground and at the bar.

Chris Lowe
England Cricket Seniors 70+
Team Manager

22/05/2023

Match Report for England 70+ Trial Match V Wales at Ebbw Vale CC on 21st May

This was the first in a three match trial series to help inform selectors when they set out to choose a squad to face the Australian tourists in August. Hosted by Wales at Ebbw Vale CC, a lovely ground tucked away in the valleys, on a bright sunny day England batted first.

With retirement at 50 in place for England players Roger Tidyman, Ian Caunce and skipper John Evans reached that landmark and exited to leave Dom Ingram, Brian Shipley, and Chris Swadkin to move things along with breezy 30s to a final 45 over score of 309 for 5. For Wales Malcom McHugh picked up a couple of wickets and Ron Walton bowled tidily as ever

In reply Wales succumbed to some fine work behind the stumps by Nigel Belletty with five stumpings and three wickets each for John Turton and Barry Hart with only Mike Staddon keeping the bowling at bay with a well-constructed 35.

Attention now turns to the next England trial match against a Kent side with one or two invitees at Hartley CC on 4th June.

Chris
Chris Lowe
England Cricket Seniors 70+
Team Manager

08/05/2023

England Cricket Seniors 70+ 2023 Trial Match Programme

With the Australian tourists arriving in August for a three match ODI series 70+ selectors are now focusing on the creation of a squad to retain the Silver Ashes which the Aussies failed to prize from us in February when we toured there.

We have arranged three trial matches:

•         Kent at Hartley CC on 27th April
•         Wales at Ebbw Vale CC on 21st May
•      Chairman’s XI at Stourport CC on11th June

We have invited both recent England 70+ squad players and individuals recommended by their counties for their consistently high performances in recent years to participate in these trial matches, the players are:

John Evans – Captain Chris Swadkin – Kent Philip Tingay – Staffs/Derby Mike Stafford – Midds Barry Hart – Surrey Nick Andrews – Cambs Keith Alexander – Midds Simon Sargent – Essex Duncan Elder – Herts Andy Peters – Surrey

Tim Smith – Essex John Hall – Surrey Ken Jones – Suffolk Trevor Spindler – Berk/Bucks Brian Shipley – Berks/Bucks Richard Owen – Staffs/Derby Tommy Stafford – Lincs/Ridings Derek Towe – Kent Martin Woodward – Worcs Martin Southwell – Essex Dominic Ingram – Herts

Steve Sheppard – Somerset Keith Daniel – Glouc David Hinchcliffe – Suffolk Mick Kenyon – Yorks Ian Caunce – Lancs Roger Tidyman – Sussex Ian Harvey – Berks/Bucks John Turton – Glouc Martin Burgess – Sussex Nigel Belletty – Glouc

The England Cricket Seniors squad to contest the 2023 ODI series against Australia will be announced in mid-June.

Chris Lowe
England Cricket Seniors 70+
Team Manager

01/04/2023

England Cricket Seniors 70+ Captaincy

Chris Swadkin
Having returned from our tour of Australia with the Silver Ashes Chris has decided to step back from the role of captain for the 2023 ODI series against the Australians.

Its been a real pleasure to work with Chris over the last couple of years as with the involvement of Barry Hart we have put together an England 70+ squad which during February won both cricket matches and friends across the eastern states of Australia.

The good news is that Chris’s deep knowledge of the 60s and 70s county cricket scene will not be lost to us as he retains his selector position for the upcoming ODI series against the touring Australians.

John Evans of Gloucestershire
Having been Vice Captain on our Australian tour I am pleased to say that John, with his achievements as a batsman and leadership experience across cricket and other sports, has accepted the management committee’s invitation to captain the England 70+ side in 2023.

The Aussies will be focused or wrestling the Silver Ashes from us but I know that is a challenge which John will be looking forward to taking on.

Chris Lowe
England Cricket Seniors 70+
Team Manager

Australia 70+ Tour of England 2023

Game		Date	Opposition	Venue	Result
1	Friday	28/07/2023	Surrey	Chipstead CC	Australia by 7 Wickets
2	Sunday	30/07/2023	Kent	Kent County Cricket Ground, Canterbury	Abandoned
3	Tuesday	01/08/2023	Suffolk	Copdock CC	Australia by 19 Runs
4	Friday	04/08/2023	Hertfordshire	Hertford CC	Australia by 12 Runs
5	Sunday	06/08/2023	England 1st ODI	Colchester & East Essex CC	England by 54 Runs
6	Tuesday	08/08/2023	Lincs / Ridings	Harrogate CC	Lincs/Ridings by 6 wickets
7	Friday	11/08/2023	Cheshire	Chester Boughton Hall CC	Australia by 7 Wickets
8	Sunday	13/08/2023	England 2nd ODI	Wellington CC	England by 91 Runs
9	Wednesday	16/08/2023	Wales ODI	Newport CC	Australia by 141 Runs
10	Friday	18/08/2023	Berks / Bucks	Taplow CC	Australia by 115 Runs
11	Sunday	20/08/2023	England 3rd ODI	Maidenhead & Bray CC	Match Tied

Ashes Reports Winter 2023

Game 11: 3rd ODI Australia v England 70+ at Caulfield CC

So we came to the final game of the tour with the ODI’s one apiece and all to play for both Australia and England.

The tourists received the usual welcomes by Victoria and Australian officials and the ceremonial Acknowledgment of Country and of Elders Past, Present & Emerging of the peoples of the Kulin Nation’s five clans who have been custodians of the land for thousands of years.

The toss took place and for the third time in ODI’s Chris Swadkin won the toss and was able to elect to field first. In conditions that more resembled an English summer than an Australian one the feeling was that the wicket would suit bowling first, possibly with some swing under cloud and movement off the wicket and become more placid to bat on as the day progressed and the forecast sunny weather appearing towards the mid innings break. This proved to be sound judgement.

England opened with Trevor Spindler (10-1-30-0) and Steve Sheppard (10-3-28-3) and in the ninth over with the score on just 12, Tom Wood the Australian captain who had not completely recovered from a groin strain had a mix up with John Stackpoole leaving the latter easily run out when Martin Southwell made a clean pick up and throw. The England opening pair continued until the end of the 15th over when Australia had only amassed 33 for the loss of one wicket.

John Hall (2-0-12-0) replaced Sheppard whilst Spindler bowled out his allotted 10 overs. Martin Southwell (10-3-23-1) bowled his full allotment of overs with Nick Andrews (10-3-22-1) bowled six of his overs in partnership until the 32nd over. On the first ball of the 25th over Andrews had Petherick well caught by John Hall, 72-2, and 8 balls later Southwell had Wood caught behind by Martin Burgess, 72-3, in a wicket maiden over. This was followed by a further three maidens, so at the end of the 29th over Australia were still 72-3 and had scored at a run rate of only 2.48 per over. Brian Shipley was introduced to the attack for the 33rd over.

At the end of the 38th over the total had meandered to 98-3 with the run rate up slightly to 2.58. With 12 overs remaining Lannigan clearly decided that drastic measures were required and after exchanging singles with Murray Harrison off the first two balls, then a dot ball off the third ball he decided to launch an attack hitting Shipley for 14 from the last three balls of the over, 114-3

Sheppard replaced Southwell who had bowled out for his final two overs and having also been struck for four he had Lannigan caught by Brian Shipley, 119-4. Peter Harrison Joined his namesake and together the took the score to 136-4 at the end of the 43rd over, the first over of Andrews second spell, seven overs to go. Next over Steve Sheppard bowled Murray Harrison, 136-5 and after conceding 3 runs to White had Peter Harrison caught by John Hall off his last ball of the over, 136-6 after 44 overs. Brian Shipley returned to bowl his second spell and with Andrews they bowled to the end of the innings.

Chris Swadkin ran out Madden in the 45th over, 143-7, and then Brian Shipley had Southall caught by Sheppard in the middle of the 48th over, 152-8. Andrews last over went for just one run and then Shipley bowled Spear with the first ball of the last over, 154-9, and then clever bowling by Shipley ensured they could only get another 5 runs from the over despite efforts to score more. The innings closed on 159-9 after 50 overs. Therefore, England needed 160 from their 50 overs at just 3.2 runs per over.

As had happened previously this tour the England innings got off to a faltering start. John Evans was caught at fine leg on the one, having played a pull at a short first ball only to get a top edge. Derek Towe (75*) joined Keith Alexander (7) and they scored at four an over until Alexander stepped across his stumps to be lbw, hit in front by a ball that would probably have his the top of middle stump, 28-2. This brought Chris Swadkin to join his county teammate and he made a tour record of 20 dot balls to get off the mark whilst Towe added 14 runs. He changed all that with an emphatically struck 4 and never looked back.

No matter whom the Australians turned to as their bowling attack, Towe and Swadkin just settled into a rhythm of defending good balls and scoring freely off balls that they felt could be attacked. Consequently. With 8.2 overs to spare they completed the task of getting to the required 160 runs in an undefeated stand of 132.

The Grey Ashes were retained by England.

It must be said how strong the bonding has been between the whole touring party, players, partners and officials. Vocal support has been strong as has the role of those not selected supporting those in the field, or at the crease, with encouragement and drinks.

Post match we were, as always, treated excellently by our hosts. The food provided was certainly amongst the best provided at any club venue. There was an excellent Q&A with Griff Trigg the former Australian bowler with teas of his time with Shane Warne and others.

We look forward to the return series when the Australian 70+ team tour the UK in July and August of 2023. Let’s hope that we can entertain them in an equally splendid way.

Full scorecard Via This Link 

Game 10: Thursday 19/2/23 Victoria Chairman’s XI v England 70+

This game was at Caulfield CC in Melbourne, also the venue for the deciding ODI on the following Sunday.

We were welcomed by Victoria Veterans President Noel Sharpe, who was also captain of his team, who won the toss and elected to field first.

Roget Tidyman (51* retired) and Keith Alexander (47) opened the batting in a steady stand before Alexander was caught off Sharpe, 87-1 after 26.2 overs. Tidyman retired not out at the end of the 27th over with the score on 113. Martin Burgess (3), bowled Dobson making the score 125-2, and then John Evans (44* retired) joined Ian Caunce (50* retired) at the crease and the run rate increased significantly Caunce’s runs coming in 35 balls and Evans in 37 balls.

When Caunce retired at the end of the 39th over the score had moved on to 183-2, Eddie Hill (1) was bowled by Oakford, 190-3, bringing Derek Towe (23) in to bat and after Evans retired with the score 225-3, he continued the raised run rate scoring his runs from 23 balls stumped by Semple off Dobson, 229-4. Brian Shipley 5 off 2 and Ken Jones 9 off 6 took the score to 243-4 from England’s 45 overs.

Once again Eddie Hill (9-0-27-1) and Ken Jones (9-3-18-11) bowled in tandem for the first 18 overs. Hill dismissed Rolland with his 3rd ball sharply stumped down the leg side by Martin Burgess and in his 4th over Jones had Hammett stumped by Burgess with a great piece of leg side keeping taking the ball off the pads, 21-2. At the end of their spells, supported by good fielding, Hill and Jones had constrained the President’s XI’s score to just 47-2 leaving them needing 197 from the remaining 27 overs at a run rate of 7.3 clearly out of reach.

Martin Woodward (7-0-46-1) and Barry Hart7-1-14-1) took up the bowling attack for the next 14 overs. Sharpe was run out with Hill whipping in a quick return to Burgess, 73-3. Hart had Loot caught by Nick Andrews, 87-4, and Woodward had Hancock stumped by Alexander, 97-5.

The next bowling changes brought together Brian Shipley (7-0-15-3) and Martin Southwell (6-3-12-0) further restricting the scoring rate. Pritchard, 50 from 85 balls, having persisted from the fall of the first wicket retired with the score on 111-5. Johnson (14*) retired on 127-5 before Shipley removed three batsmen in each of his next three overs, Dobson lbw,127-6; Oakford bowled, 129-7; and Pascoe lbw to the last ball of the innings 134-9.

England won by 109 runs.

Full scorecard Via This Link

Game 9: Thursday 16/02/2023 Victoria XI v England 70+

The England squad travelled to Benalla for this game. Following the normal acknowledgements of First Nation people and their elders past, present and emerging, the toss was won by the Victoria captain Gibson who elected to bat.

Neville and Hardman, a left-hand right-hand combination and the top two run scorers in the Australia 70+ championships in Tasmania earlier in the year, had an opening stand of 75 against Eddie Hill (7-1-17-0), Ken Jones (5-0-27-0), Trevor Spindler (5-1-15-0) and a three-over for 11 run spell from Martin Southwell (6-0-17-2) before Neville (42) fell lbw to Steve Sheppard (5-1-16-2) at the end of his first and the 21st over, 101-3. Sheppard was then joined by Nick Andrews (6-1-15-0) and in his last over he bowled Hopper, 89-2. Martin Southwell returned for a second three per spell and had Wilson caught Swadkin, 101-3. Brain Shipley (6-0-16-2) took over at one end and bowled Brown, 114-4. Then next over Martin Southwell dismissed opener Hardman (47) due to a superb catch by Martin Woodward, 114-5, then two balls later had White dropped by Nick Andrews who managed to speedily pick up the ball to return it to Martin Burgess who smartly run out Davis, 115-6. John Hall (5-0-118-2) became England’s eighth bowler of the day when he took over from Southwell with the score on 115-6 after 35 overs. In the final 10 overs Hall had Pritchard caught by Ian Caunce, 127-7 then bowled White, 134-8. Shipley had Spear lbw in the penultimate over, 136-9, and the Victoria team ended on 145-9 from their 45 overs.

John Hall (27 from 77 balls) and Roger Tidyman (7 from 19 balls) had to work hard to keep out the bowling attack of Kasputtis and Spear until Tidyman was caught off Spear in the 6th over, 14-1. Hall was joined by Chris Swadkin (7) and they took the score to 33 before walk-in was caught off Costello, 33-2. Ian Caunce (1) took a single off his first ball to keep the strike but well two balls later chipping the ball for a straightforward catch off Davis, 34-3. Hall and Nick Andrews (36) had a stand of 27 before Hall was caught by Kasputtis off Gibson taking the score on to 61-4. Brian Shipley (31) joined Andrews and the latter was eventually bowled by White, 83-5. This brought Eddie Hill (24 from 21) to the crease and they put on 36 from 21 balls before Hill was out bowled by opening bowler Spear, 119-6. Having not scored a run until his 18th ball Shipley batting with Steve Sheppard (5*) scored his 31 from his last 23 balls before he was caught by Davis, 145-7. With one needed to win Ken Jones feathered his first ball to the keeper, 145-8. Martin Burgess having decided he wasn’t going to mess about dropped and ran on his first ball and the England team were home winning by 2 wickets.

Full scorecard Via This Link 

Game 8: Tuesday 14/02/2023 ACT/Southern NSW XI v England 70+

Having squared the series the England party travelled to Canberra where they were entertained along with the following day’s opposition at the residence of the UK High Commissioner Vicki Treadell. Vicki is a keen follower of cricket and had two signed bats on display that had been presented to her. One to commemorate the participation of four cricketing great in an exhibition game was signed by Sachin Tendulkar, Imran Khan, Clive Lloyd and Richard Hadlee.

Having been welcomed to the Chisholm Oval by Murray Harrison and to the lands of the First Nation Ngunnawal peoples by a “smoke Ceremony” conducted by the son of Vic Bulger. Murray Harrison won the toss and elected to bat.

Eddie Hill (9-2-25-1) and Ken Jones (9-5-14-1) bowled very tightly for the first 18 overs in tandem. Jones getting Wadsworth caught behind by Keith Alexander,19-1 and Hill getting Dickinson caught by Derek Towe, 41-2. At the end of their spells after 18 overs the ACT/NSW team were 47-2.

Brian Shipley (9-11-24-1) and Steve Sheppard (9-1-32-22) took over bowling duties. Ken Jones ran out Haling with a direct hit, 61-3 and 9 balls later Sheppard had Bulger stumped, 72-4. Brian Shipley then had Murray Harrison lbw after a cautious 27 from 51 balls, 80-5, before a second stumping by Alexander off Sheppard removed Ledger, 85-6 from 30 overs. With the score on 104-6 bowling moved on to Martin Woodward (5-0-22-1) and Derek Towe (4-0-19-1). Woodward had Paterson caught behind, 127-7, and Towe bowled Moore, 143-8 and with just two more runs added the ACT Southern NSW team ended their 45 overs on 145-8.

The England innings got off to a slow start punctuated by the fall of wickets: Keith Alexander (6) caught by Harrison off Scott, 16-1; Ian Caunce (1) bowled playing across the line by Kitching, 17-2; and Barry Hart (4) lbw to Scott, 29-3.

Roger Tidyman (33) and John Evans (53* retired) had a stand of 50 before Tidyman was bowled by Ledger, 79-4 in the middle of the 23rd over with the run rate near the required rate. Evans was joined by Derek Towe (18*) in an unbroken stand of 48 before Evans retired with the score on 127-4. Towe was joined by Eddie Hill (14* from 10 balls) and together they scored the remaining 22 runs required from 14 balls. England winning by 6 wickets with 10 overs to spare.

John Evans was awarded man of the Match and Ken Jones given the bowling award.

Full scorecard Via This Link

Game 7: Sunday 12/2/2023 Australia v England 70+ 2nd ODI

The game took place at the Coogee Oval in Sydney.
We had been given the “Welcome to Country” which acknowledged the former, current and emerging elders of the Bidjigal and Gadigal First Nation peoples who have been custodians of the land for thousands of years.

We were then also welcomed by representatives of NSW Veterans Cricket. Former Australian test match player Michael Whitney welcomed us to his club and said how much in awe he was that players of both teams were still playing a high standard of the game we love. Something that he said he was unable to do after a hip replacement and nine knee operations including replacement knees.

Chris Swadkin won the toss and elected to bat on what looked a good pitch and quicker outfield than many on which we have played recently.

England soon lost Keith Alexander (5) lbw to Southall with the score on 7. There then followed a long stand in the stifling heat between John Evans (81) and Derek Towe (44), until the latter was out to a very good c&b by Doust, 2 hours and 10 minutes later with the score on 138 in the 33rd over. Ian Caunce (1)  fell quickly bowled by Murray Harrison. Chris Swadkin (36 from 36 balls) joined John Evans for a stand of 27 when, with the score on 166, Evans played what looked like a tired shot after 2 hours and 40 minutes at the crease, to be bowled by Murray Harrison too. Nick Andrews (5) and John Hall (0), 1st ball, both fell to Stackpoole lbw. Swadkin was joined by Steve Sheppard (22) for a stand of 40 from 43 balls. Chris Swadkin was caught by Aussie captain Tom Wood to make the score 213-7 with just 14 balls remaining. Steve Sheppard, Martin Burgess (5) and Martin Woodward (1*) added 10 more to take the score to 223-8 from the 50 overs. This looked like it was worth a good few more runs as the outfield was not as quick as was initially though. This meant that Australia needed to score 224 at a run rate of 4.48 to win.

Australia got off to a slow start with excellent tight bowling from Trevor Spindler (8-0-23-3) and Steve Sheppard (6-0-15-0) so that after 13 overs Australia were 31-2 with both wickets to Spindler, Stackpoole going to an excellent low catch by Keith Alexander and then Petherick bowled shouldering arms to an in-swinger that took the top of off stump, perhaps helped by the gusting wind, much denied by Spindler! In his next over Spindler removed Peter Harrrison caught behind by Martin Burgess making the score 33-3.

Nick Andrews (10-1-26-1) and Martin Southwell (8-0-27-1) the bowled in tandem until the 29th over. Boyd was stumped of Andrews in an excellent display of glove work by Martin Burgess for 3, 62-4; Murray Harrison was bowled by Southwell and when he was replaced by Martin Woodward (7-0-18-2) he had Dedman stumped for 17 in another quick piece of wicket keeping, 99-7 from 33.4 overs. Australia now needed 125 from the remaining 98 balls with the required run rate having climbed to 7.65 per over. Australian wicket keeper Madden was forced to retire injured with 1 ball of the 41st over remaining when the score was on 119-7. Cullen was caught by Swadkin off Woodward two balls later 119-8. John Hall (3.2-0-10-1) had joined Woodward to bowl to the end of the innings and he had Southall also caught by Swadkin to end the innings with Madden unable to return on 121 all out.

England had put the series all square at 1-1 with a very convincing victory by 102 runs.

As has been usual after the match the England party were hosted to an excellent meal. This was just around the corner from the ground in a club on the Promenade, in an upper floor venue with a balcony overlooking Coogee Beach. The Australian’s awarded the England Man of the Match for his decisive knock to John Evans.

Full scorecard Via This Link 

Game 6 : Thursday 9/2/2023 NSW Waratahs v England 70+

Due to be played at Tamworth No.1 Oval, the match was washed out by a heavy shower during the morning that led to the flooding of the square. The selected team was disappointed not to be able to take part in the scheduled day/night match.

We were treated to a great welcome the day before the game was scheduled and taken to a sheep station at Dungowan where we saw a demonstration of shearing and were able to sample examples of their micro-brewery products.

On our return to Tamworth we were taken to see the ground and the floodlights were switched on so that could see what the evening conditions would be. At almost the same time the sprinklers also began to work on what was already a green outfield. 

On Thursday morning we hosted to breakfast at the West Tamworth Rugby League club close to our hotel. We were welcomed by the Tamworth Mayor Russell Webb, a representative of local MP Kevin Anderson. We were each presented with a shirt for the day/night match that evening.

Unfortunately, there was a localised storm with a torrential downpour in the mid morning before we departed to the ground. It was clear when we reached the ground that the match would be unable to take place as the pitch was submerged.

Before the scheduled start of the game we were given a traditional welcome by an elder of the Kamilaroi (Gomeroi) nation who gave an abbreviated tale of two stars that are pointers to the Southern Cross and are guardians who with these magic fires, long pears and boomerangs keep at bay the evil snake from the other side of the universe.

It was a pity that the great amount of work and efforts of many did get the deserved match to complete such a splendid couple of days in Tamworth

Game 5 : Tuesday 7/2/2023 NSW Blues v England 70+

Played at Newcastle No.1 Oval, a former Sheffield Shield Ground which was in tip-top condition and a high quality venue. 

The wicket was good and hard and for the first time on the tour the outfield was fast. To be fair many grounds have grass of courser consistency and the outfields need to be kept longer to protect them from burning. The weather conditions in Newcastle whilst still hot were nowhere near as humid as in Queensland making playing much more pleasurable.

England lost the toss and NSW Blues elected to bat. Good spells from Eddie Hill (5-0-18-0), Ken Jones (6-1-22-0), Steve Sheppard (6.1-1-23-2) who took a very good return catch and Nick Andrews (4-0-9-2) restricted the Blues to 32-0 from the first 10 overs and 71-3 by end of the 20th over. 

England had upped their game in the field, very necessary on the rapid outfield, which together with good field placement and bowling to the field led to the Blues losing wickets regularly to Martin Woodward (8-0-35-2), Martin Southwell (5-1-12-1) and Bart Hart (4-1-6-2) with a run out by Chris Swadkin and the final wicket taken by Steve Sheppard on his 7th ball of his second spell. They NSW Blues ended on what for them was a disappointing 128 all out from 38.1overs.

England began steadily and having had a top edge fall between fielders John Evans (22) scored five well hit 4s in a stand of 32 with Nick Andrews (12). Two quick wickets to England to 44-3 before a stand of 27 between Brian Shipley (6) and Chris Swadkin (47*) took the total to 71-4. Chris in stands of 22 with Barry Hart (7) and 23 with Eddie Hill (14) took England to 116-6 in the 29th over. Supported by Steve Sheppard (5*) Chris Swadkin saw the team home with a sweetly struck 4 in the 31st over

Chris Swadkin was England’s Man of the Match scoring an unbeaten 47 from 60 balls with 7 boundaries.

Peter Harrison was the Blues Man of the Match for his 3-20 bowling after a contribution of 12 with the bat.

Full scorecard Via This Link

Game 4: Sunday 5/2/2023 Australia 70+ v England 70+ 1st ODI

Played at Redland Tigers CC, Birkdale Queensland. England on the toss and elected to bat.

The Australian opening bowlers Southall and Cook started with excellent line and length and after 11 overs England were reduced to 14-2 having lost both John Evans and Roger Tidyman. With the arrival of Derek Towe and Ian Caunce England progressed to 90-2 with a stand of 76 taking the run rate to over 3 per over before Caunce (47) was caught attempting another powerful hit. A stand of 46 by Derek Towe and Chris Swadkin (22) took England on to 136 before Towe (56) fell to. Thereafter England lost wickets regularly but managed to raise the run rate almost to 4 per over ending on 196-8 after 50 overs with Australia’s players looking sharp in the field.

Australia clearly had a target that appeared getable and they began with good running between the wickets picking up singles better than England had. This plus the wickets in hand meant that they always looked comfortable with opener Tom Wood (90) anchoring the innings and who took the initiative from time to time to chip the ball over the infield to score a boundary when necessary to keep the run rate manageable. He was well supported by Petherick (9), O’Meara (15) and Boyd (45*) in stands of 48, 47 and 65 respectively. Australia completed the victory off the last ball of the 49th over to win a close game by 6 wickets. For England the wicket takers were Trevor Spindler (8-0-1-34) who also effected the run out of O’Meara, John Hall (7-0-1-34) and Martin Southwell (10-2-1-32).

Australia played the best cricket on the day. They bowled well at the top of the England innings, looked sharper and more agile in the field and took quick singles better than England had done in their innings. It showed that these games were being played at the end of their season with players in top form.

Still a lot to play for and England need to use the games before the next ODI to sharpen up and play themselves into form for the next two ODIs.

Full scorecard Via This Link

Game 3: President’s XI v England at Maroochydore CC

Maroochydore was the venue of the semi-finals and final of the recent 60+ World Cup. The pitch had some signs of cracking and the outfield whilst firmer than previous grounds it was still quite soft underfoot.We were welcomed by a previous President of Queensland Veterans Kerry Emery and Joe Natoli the local councillor of the Mooloolaba area.

Joe rightly made a point of welcoming us to the territory of the First Nation Gubbi Gubbi people and talked of the need to respect these people and the traditional lands.

Chris Swadkin won the toss and elected to bat first. Once again the match was dominated by bowlers with a few exceptions on each side.

England lost the first three wicket with 1, 17 and 29 on the scoreboard. England progressed steadily if a little slowly until the 30th over. A stand of 95 between Derek Towe (43) and Brian Shipley (52 retired n.o.) took England to 124-3 and it was 159-4 when Derek was bowled. This brought Eddie Hill to the crease and his first ball was driven along the ground straight for 4 showing his intent. With support from other batsmen giving Eddie the strike he hit four 4s and two 6s, the first of any player of any teams on the tour so far, taking him to 50 retired not out with just 3 balls remaining and England to 201-6. Three extras off the final 3 balls took England’s total to 204-7 a more respectable total than looked possible at 30 overs.

The President’s XI response got off to a quick start with Boyd and Stackpoole adding 56 for the first wicket. They reached 113-2 from 30 overs when Stackpoole retired on 43 not out. Both wickets had fallen to Nick Andrews (9-2-17-2) in a spell  that with the support of Barry Hart squeezed the run rate down to below 4 runs per over. Two dangerous batsmen then began to get going, but first Petherick fell lbw to Brian Shipley and with the score on 161-3 in the 38th over Drescher (38 from 28 balls) was taken by an excellent low catch in the deep by Martin Southwell off the bowling of Martin Woodward in what proved to be a key turning point. Up to this point the President’s XI will have fancied their chances to win.

However, this put pressure on the following batters and whilst they needed 44 runs from 43 balls to win they added 28 in the next 31 balls so that they needed 16 from the last two overs. The 44th over bowled by Derek Towe began with him bowling Lambert with his first ball, 189-5. He had Cook lbw with his 3rd ball, 189-6, and bowled Copdock with his 4th delivery, 189-7. Steve Sheppard then produced an excellent pick up and throw to run out Kratzmann 189-8. Still needing 16 runs the President’s XI added 3 runs from the first 4 balls of the final over and then a good throw from the deep by Martin Southwell resulted in the run out of Chapman, 192-9,  and with 12 runs needed from the final ball Stackpoole did not return to the crease so the President’s XI final all out total of 192 was 12 runs short.

Full scorecard Via This Link

Game 2: South-East Queensland Regional XI v England at Caboolture CC

Full England squad

Caboolture CC’s ground was extremely well appointed with a lush green outfield completely free of weeds but, apparently like many clubs in the area, only a small hand-adjusted scoreboard was available. The wicket was hard but with a good covering of grass which meant there was some sideways movement and occasional uneven bounce.

The opposition was stronger than in game 1 with three of the players involved already selected for the Australia team to play England in the 1st ODI at game 4. 

They had two good opening bowlers and England having been inserted lost their opening batsmen fairly early. Roger Tidyman (15) and Ian Caunce (17) stabilised the innings making good looking contributions but lost their wickets when they were just getting on top of the bowling. When they were both out it brought together John Hall and Derek Towe, the later rightly adjudged England’s Man of the Match after scoring 58 not out followed by two good catches, one that was outstanding causing the opposition to say such catches shouldn’t be seen in 70+ cricket. He was well supported by John Hall (32) in a stand of 75 for 4th wicket and England posted a total of 160-9.

John Evans marshalled the attack well with good fielding placement and England’s bowlers constrained the opposition. All bowlers contributed either to squeezing the opposition by accurate bowling and/or regular taking of wickets, Figures were: Trevor Spindler (9-1-22-2); Ed Hill (5.1-1-13-1), who took a stunning low return catch; Ken Jones (7-2-17-1); Martin Southwell (9-1-33-3);  John Hall (6-1-22-0) and Martin Woodward (6-1-26-1) again supported by a good and improved fielding performance getting England over the line by bowling out the SE Queensland Regional team for 138 to a second win this time by 22 runs.

Full scorecard Via This Link This also has a link to open the livestream video of the game. Click on the “Play Arrow” to open a YouTube window. We hope that this will be a feature of all future games.

Game 1: Sunshine Coast Regional XI v England at Gympie CC

Gympie is a former mining town which was significantly flooded in 2022. The ground was under 20m of flooding twice and a lower third flood.

The touring Party was welcomed by Russell Bennett a “Custodian of this country” as a First Nation member who conducted a “Smoking Ceremony” during which we were invited to waft smoke over ourselves to ensure we had the good spiritual support of the ancestors, then we were able to enjoy a First Nation welcoming song.

The match was played on a wicket that enabled both teams bowlers to be on top of batsmen. This was somewhat enhanced by a very spongy outfield that meant that shots pulled up quickly causing run outs for both teams.

The format of the game was for each team’s innings to be split into two sections of 23 overs then 22 overs with the playing of each section in turn much to the dismay of both scorers whose my.cricket or play-cricket software failed to cope with the format.

England played their first 23 overs and made 56-3, really tight bowling by England then restricted the Sunshine Coast team to 33-5. Trevor Spindler (6-3-7-1), Steve Sheppard (8-1-16-0), John Hall (5-1-4-0) and Martin Southwell (9-1-22-3) supported by good fielding squeezed the Sunshine Coast team so that England led by 23 at the mid way break.

After lunch, in the second batting period, England took their total to 131 all out. Chris Swadkin top scored with 38 not out, supported by 22 each from Nick Andrews and John Hall with a final flurry of 13 from Martin Burgess. TThe Sunshine Coast team ended up 20 runs short due to a well squeezed second section in which Martin Woodward (7.4-2-27-4) returned best bowling figures for the match when the Sunshine Coast were 111 all out.

John Hall was accorded England’s Man of the Match for his stylish 22 after his tight spell of bowling.

Full scorecard Via This Link

17/01/2023

England Cricket Seniors 70s+ / 2023 County Squad Recommendations
After taking on the Australians in their own back yard in Jan/Feb we host them here in August where we play three Silver Ashes internationals.
The development of an England 70+ squad for those three games starts now with a call for county representatives and captains to put names forward for a series of trial matches to be run early in the season, starting with a game against the champions Kent on 27th April.
Over the past couple of years, a series of trial matches has enabled over 60 county players to participate in the selection process. What the selectors would like to concentrate on now is players who are just becoming available for 70s cricket. This is our criteria:

• Have you any players born in 1953 who you feel meet the criteria for England consideration? It is likely that such players will have a history of consistent runs/wickets in the 60+ 1st XI competition over the years and been contenders for England 60+ selection.
• Nominated players should be fit and mobile.
• Please check with players you intend to nominate that they want to be part of the selection process and will be willing to travel to games which on occasion might be some distance from home.
•  No one nominated to the selectors in 2021 needs to be re-nominated.
• To be clear therefore no one selected for the England 70+ squad in 2022 and/or the tour to Australia in early 2023 needs to be nominated again as they will be included in the process by default.

Please note, I am away with the England 70+ Squad in Australia from 24th Jan to the end of February. It would be helpful therefore if counties could send me their trialist recommendations during the first week of March.

Many thanks and best regards

Chris

Chris Lowe
England Cricket Seniors 70+
Team Manager

Email address: [email protected]

England Cricket Seniors 70+ Tour of Australia 2023

The Itinerary

Taking in three ODIs and eight regional/representative games starting on the Sunshine Coast, two hours or so up the east coast from Brisbane, then down to Newcastle, across to Tamworth and down again to Sydney. Back on the road after an ODI there and off to Canberra and Melbourne with more games on the way and the final ODI on the 21st February.

Game	Date	Opposition	Venue	Result
1	29/01/2023	Regional XI	Keith Manthey Oval, Gympie CC	Won by 20 Runs
2	31/01/2023	Brisbane XI	Caboolture CC, Morayfield	Won by 22 Runs
3	02/02/2023	President’s XI	Maroochydore CC, Buderim	Won by 12 Runs
4	05/02/2023	1st ODI	Redland Tigers CC Birkdale	Lost by 6 Wickets
5	07/02/2023	New South Wales Blues	Newcastle	Won by 4 Wickets
6	09/02/2023	NSW Waratahs	Tamworth No1 Oval	Match Cancelled
7	12/02/2023	2nd ODI	Googee Oval, Sydney	Won by 102 Runs
8	14/02/2023	ACT / Southern NSW XI	Chisholm Oval, Canberra	Won by 6 Wickets
9	16/02/2023	Victoria	Rose Bowl Ground, Benalla	Won by 2 Wickets
10	19/02/2023	Victoria Chairman’s XI	Caulfield Oval, Melbourne	Won by 109 Runs
11	21/02/2023	3rd ODI	Caulfield Oval, Melbourne	Won by 8 Wickets

We will be keeping everyone up to date with events and places via these pages throughout the trip.

The Squad

Captain: Chris Swadkin of Kent
Vice-Captain: John Evans of Gloucestershire

Keith Alexander	Middlesex	Eddie Hill	Worcestershire
Martin Burgess	Sussex	Ian Caunce	Lancashire
Martin Southwell	Essex	Steve Sheppard	Somerset
Barry Hart	Surrey	Martin Woodward	Worcestershire
John Hall	Surrey	Derek Towe	Kent
Nick Andrews	Cambridgeshire	Trevor Spindler	Berks & Bucks
Brian Shipley	Berks & Bucks	Ken Jones	Suffolk
Roger Tidyman	Sussex

Officials:
Manager: Chris Lowe – Berks & Bucks
Umpire: Kevin Beaumont – Berks & Bucks
Scorer: James Cato – Gloucestershire
Photographer: Andy Parkyn – Shropshire

England 70+ News Page

17/11/2022

Selection for England 60+ and 70+

The place of the England 60+ and 70+ teams has always been to provide a pinnacle for senior cricketers to aspire to by offering the opportunity to represent their country as their cricket playing days draw to a close.  This principle has been strongly to the fore this year as the International Committee has sought to rebuild the 60+ and 70+ England playing programmes post pandemic.  

At this year’s 60s World Cup a Rest of the World team was created to enable a 12 team tournament to go ahead. A majority of the ROW players were from England. The World Cup committee has now agreed that a ROW XI should remain as a constituent part with the explicit aim of encouraging seniors cricket to develop in other countries which can’t as yet support an individual team in the competition.

We support the aim to grow seniors cricket in other countries and form a ROW XI of players from such countries. However we understand that at the moment finding such players will be difficult and so the ROW plan to continue to select English players to fill gaps in their squad.  This creates a problem for the concept of England selection forming the tip of the pyramid. In that situation England qualified players could be playing for 2 different International teams and this clearly runs the risk of diluting the primacy of the England team.

To avoid any misunderstandings on its position, the International Committee has decided that should players represent the Rest of the World XI in a tournament which also includes other national teams who are part of the 60+ World Cup organising committee they would not be considered for selection in the long list of England squad players (currently standing at 34) for a period of two years. This policy would apply to future England players who reach the qualifying age and would also be applied to eligibility for the England 70+ team.

As is common throughout cricket from ICC downward, no player can be eligible or play for 2 countries simultaneously and this policy is in line with the guidelines being developed by other participants in the 60+ World Cup (eg Canada;  USA and West Indies) with potential dual nationality players).

To be clear this policy does not stop any player from joining any other overseas tours whatever the banner that team plays under. It solely applies to World Cups and other tournaments in which  national teams participate and so includes, for example the Carib Cup arranged for this winter. 10/09/2022

England Cricket Seniors 70+ Tour of Australia 2023 We are pleased to announce the itinerary and playing squad for next February’s tour down under.

The Itinerary

Taking in three ODIs and eight regional/representative games starting on the Sunshine Coast, two hours or so up the east coast from Brisbane, then down to Newcastle, across to Tamworth and down again to Sydney. Back on the road after an ODI there and off to Canberra and Melbourne with more games on the way and the final ODI on the 21st February.

Game	Date	Opposition	Venue
1	29/01/2023	Regional XI	Keith Manthey Oval, Gympie CC
2	31/01/2023	Brisbane XI	Caboolture CC, Morayfield
3	02/02/2023	President’s XI	Maroochydore CC, Buderim
4	05/02/2023	1st ODI	Redland Tigers CC Birkdale
5	07/02/2023	New South Wales Blues	Newcastle No1 Oval
6	09/02/2023	NSW Waratahs	Tamworth
7	12/02/2023	2nd ODI	Googee Oval, Sydney
8	14/02/2023	ACT / Southern NSW XI	Canberra
9	16/02/2023	Victoria	Rose Bowl Ground, Benalla
10	19/02/2023	Victoria Chairman’s XI	Melbourne
11	21/02/2023	3rd ODI	Melbourne

We will be keeping everyone up to date with events and places via these pages throughout the trip.

The Squad

Captain: Chris Swadkin of Kent
Vice-Captain: John Evans of Gloucestershire

Keith Alexander	Middlesex	Eddie Hill	Worcestershire
Martin Burgess	Sussex	Ian Caunce	Lancashire
Martin Southwell	Essex	Steve Sheppard	Somerset
Barry Hart	Surrey	Martin Woodward	Worcestershire
John Hall	Surrey	Derek Towe	Kent
Nick Andrews	Cambridgeshire	Trevor Spindler	Berks & Bucks
Brian Shipley	Berks & Bucks	David Bartholomew	Lancashire
Roger Tidyman	Sussex	Ken Jones	Suffolk

Officials:
Manager: Chris Lowe – Berks & Bucks
Umpire: Kevin Beaumont – Berks & Bucks
Scorer: James Cato – Gloucestershire
Photographer: Andy Parkyn – Shropshire

19/07/2022

England 70s v Wales 70s International – Match Report Played on 17th July at Stourport-on-Severn CC

With a couple of injury related drop outs from the initially selected team, including Chris Swadkin the captain, the England side to play Wales in this international now included Ian Harvey from Berks & Bucks and Keith Alexander from Middlesex with Martin Woodward from Worcestershire taking over the captaincy for the day.
Due to high temperatures the match was reduced to 40 overs a side.
There is one thing a new captain can do to make himself popular on a hot day and Martin duly did that by winning the toss and opting to bat. The sigh of relief from the home dressing room soon subsided at the mention of a warm-up session.
Warm-up and stretches done, fielding practice over, England caps were presented to five new international players:

• Ian Harvey, Roger Tidyman, John Evans, Ed Hill and Steve Sheppard

The England 70s team to play Wales on 17th July

England Innings

The plan was to put the bowling side under pressure by taking quick singles and put away bad balls, but Wales had a plan of their own and took the early initiative when Peter Betteley had Keith Daniels caught close in by Andy Simpson.
That though was the only success Wales had for some time as a cultured and dominant knock by Sussex skipper Roger Tidyman (70) was slightly put in the shade by Ian Caunce who blasted 158 off 101 balls including 24 x 4s and 4 x 6s.

Ian’s 158 is the record indivual score by any England Seniors batsmen – at 50+, 60+ and 70+ levels.

Wales in turn stuck to their task on a large, fast, outfield on a hot afternoon, they were rewarded with the wickets of Tidyman, lbw to Andy Simpson and Caunce, caught behind by Ryland Wallace again off Simpson.
The running in the outfield did not stop there however as Gloucestershire skipper John Evans (66 not out) maintained bowler pressure and together with Keith Alexander (13 not out) the Middlesex captain took the England total to 315 for 3 off 40 overs.
Pick of the Wales bowlers was Peter Betteley with 1 for 38 from his 8 overs.

Wales Innings

Peter Allen (30 retired not out) and Gwyn Price (40) set about the Wales response against a tight England attack supported in general by some tidy ground fielding. That said a number of catches were dropped throughout the Wales innings, an area where there is room for improvement.
When Allen retired his innings and Price was neatly stumped by Tommy Stafford off Mike Kenyon only Laurence Harris (36) was able to sustain much resistance before being bowled by skipper for the day Martin Woodward
A late flurry of runs from Mike Cockell (16) and Paul Mahoney (15 not out) took the Wales score to 154 for 4 which gave England a win by 161 runs.
Nick Andrews took 2 for 25 from his 7 overs, Ian Harvey had a tight spell with just 10 runs coming from his 5 overs and Mike Kenyon bowled his 7 overs for 18 taking 1 wicket.

Our thanks go to the Wales team and committee for hosting us in Newport and for travelling up for the game at Stourport.
Thanks also to Stourport-on-Severn CC for hosting England at their excellent ground and for being the most welcoming of clubs.
The game was umpired for England by Chris Taylor and scored by Martin Mudway, we thank them both for their help and support.

01/07/2022

The England 70s team to play Wales 70s at Stourport-on-Seven CC in a full fifty overs a side international starting at 12.30pm on Sunday July 17th is:

Chris Swadkin (Capt) – Kent
Roger Tidyman – Sussex
Keith Daniels – Gloucestershire
John Evans – Gloucestershire
Ian Caunce – Lancashire
Dereck Towe – Kent
Nick Andrews – Cambridgeshire
Ed Hill – Worcestershire
Steve Sheppard – Somerset
Mike Kenyon – Yorkshire
Martin Woodward – Worcestershire
Tommy Stafford (Wk) – Yorkshire

14/06/2022

England 70s Squad v Chairman’s Select at Stourport-on-Severn CC on Sunday 12th June

As part of the continuing process of selection for an international match against Wales in July and a proposed tour of Australia early in 2023 members of the England 70s squad plus some invited guests faced each other in a Chairman’s match at the well appointed Stourport ground in what turned out to be a well balanced contest.

Batting first the England Squad got away to a lively start as Ian Caunce (52 retired) then Derek Towe (50 retired) worked hard to wrestle the initiative from the Chairman’s bowlers. Opening bowler Ian Harvey found a good length to finish his spell with 1 for 29 off 9 overs and Nick Andrew was just as effective with 1 for 23 off 8. The England innings then rather fell away as only John Mountain,25, could manage any fluidity against a very competitive opposition with the innings closing on what seemed a slightly below par of 200 for 4.

In response Roger Tidyman (44) and fellow opener Keith Alexander (46) set about laying a foundation on which the Chairman’s team could build, Nick Andrews (29) kept the momentum going before Chris Swadkin (51 retired), the Chairman, gave the innings the boost it needed to set up the win with just ten balls to go.

Steve Sheppard with 1 for 23 off 9 overs and Martin Southwell 2 for 24 off 6 were the pick of the England Squad bowlers on the day.

Our thanks to Stourport-on-Severn CC for their hospitality and superb facilities.

02/05/2022

England 70s Squad trial games report

Game One v Surrey

The first of the three planned England 70s squad trial matches in 2022 was played against the 2021 Champions Surrey at the superb facilities of Chipstead & Coulsdon CC on Thursday 21st April. 

The England squad XI comprised of predominantly southern based players failed to find their early season form and succumbed to a strong Surrey side. Batting first, England opted for retirement at 50 to ensure more batsmen were given an opportunity to impress and were dismissed for 235; retirements at 50 for Chris Swadkin and Stuart Bulger and 34 from Dom Ingram the main contributors. 

Against some rusty, early season bowling Surrey made short work of this target with an opening stand of 154 between Andy Peters (100 retired) and John Hall 57, followed by a rapid 50* from Graeme Howgate.  

Game Two v Wales
 
An England squad team drawn mainly from West & Midlands players took on Wales in another trial match at the marvellous facilities provided by Newport CC on Thursday 28th April.
Batting first Wales found the England squad bowlers difficult to get away as a tight line and length was maintained throughout which together with a disciplined fielding display kept the home side down to 164 for 7 off their 45 over.
Mike Staddon with 33 was the leading Wales run scorer whilst John Hall took 3 for 26 to lead the way for the England squad in the field.
Despite an accurate 9 over spell from Ron Walton the England squad openers Keith Daniels and Roger Tidyman were able mix the occasional aggressive shot with quickly spotted and taken singles to keep the scoreboard moving. Having lost Daniels for 32 and upon Tidyman’s retirement at 53 John Evans and Ian Caunce took control with the latter taking the England squad over the line with a signature 6 over long on

The England 70s International selection process now moves on to the Chairman’s game at Stourport CC on Sunday June 12th when squad players based in the north will participate. Teams for this game will be announced on 22nd May with selection being based upon early season form and recent past performances.

07/04/2022

England 70s Squad 2022 update

After 2021’s exhaustive selection process, including three trial matches, a group of 27 players now make up the England 70s squad to play a number of games during the upcoming season. The first three games are squad games whilst the final game against Wales will see a team selected from the squad for a full international fixture.
Teams have been selected so as to minimise travel with the teams shown below being drawn from southern based players and the team to be confirmed in May for the Chairman’s game to be drawn, in the main, from those based in the north.
Fixtures are:
Surrey at Chipstead CC on 21st April
Wales at Newport CC on 28th April
Chairman’s team at Stourport CC 12th June
Wales at Stourport on 17th July – This is a full international

Squad teams for the first two games are:

England 70s Squad v Surrey 70s 21st April – Chris Lowe Capt – Berks & Bucks – Ian Watson – Hampshire – Neil Hames – Suffolk – Stuart Bulger – Hertfordshire – Chris Swadkin – Kent – Derek Towe – Kent – Dominic Ingram – Hertfordshire – Keith Alexander Wk – Middlesex – Ian Harvey – Berks & Bucks – Nick Andrews – Cambridgeshire – Martin Southwell – Essex – Trevor Spindler – Berks & Bucks

England 70s Squad v Wales 70s 28th April – Barry Hart Capt – Surrey – Roger Tidyman – Sussex – Keith Daniels – Gloucestershire – John Evans – Gloucestershire – Ian Caunce – Lancashire – John Hall – Surrey – Dave Freeman – Surrey – John Turton – Gloucestershire – Steve Sheppard – Somerset – Ed Hill – Worcestershire – Martin Burgess Wk – Sussex – Martin Woodward – Worcestershire

4/10/2021

ENGLAND OVER 70s TRIALS Update

England 70+ Cricket Update Despite no International matches being possible this season, 3 successful trial matches were played to help assess who the leading candidates for selection might be should International matches be possible again in 2022. The response from players all over the country to the trials was superb; the commitment to travel long distances and buy in to the idea of ensuring all participants had a chance to perform was really appreciated. As a result we were able to see close to 50 players in action over the 3 matches.

The first match took place at Wellington CC for predominantly North and Midlands players. In a 45 over match the “North” team batted first scoring 198-6 with Ian Caunce; Steve Yates and Dave Bartholomew the leading run scorers. Martin Woodward with 3 wickets the most successful bowler. In reply the Midlands could only muster 142-4 (with some retirements) as the North bowlers proved naggingly accurate. A late flurry from Andrew Wingfield-Digby with 42 no.

The second trial match at Swindon on 23rd August featured Southern based players and resulted in a 17 run win for the South West (203) vs South East (186). Gloucester players to the fore – Evans & Daniels with the bat and John Turton with the ball whilst other notable batting performances came from Roger Tidyman; Ian Watson & Stuart Bulger.

The final match at Great Oakley on 8th September included players unavailable for the first 2 matches; some coming back from injury and others who have come to the fore during the season. Despite 30s (retired) from Ian Harvey and Paul Mustoe, The “Blues” were contained to 132-9 off 45 overs with Eddie Hill; Nick Andrews and Steve Sheppard recording excellent figures and the “Reds” passed this total in the 35th over for the loss of 4 wickets.

We now turn to thoughts of arranging a match programme in 2022 where England Caps can be awarded – either versus Australia should travel be possible or versus domestic opposition and will report on this when more information is available.

ENGLAND OVER 70s TRIALS PROGRAMME

Although the plans to play Australia home and away in 2021 had to be dropped, we remain keen to keep the England 70+ team concept alive and in any case need to plan ahead so that we have a good idea of the make up of a possible England squad should International matches be possible in 2022.

Consequently we have organised 3 trial matches in August/September after the 70+ Group games have finished to help assess possible candidates for selection for England 70s. We have a list of nominations from Counties and have also added some other candidates on advice from valued scouts around the country. 

The 3 matches are:
Wednesday 11th August at Wellington CC for North and Midlands
Monday 23rd August at Swindon CC for South West and South East.
Wednesday 8th September at Great Oakley to include players who could not make their earlier trial and those we would like to see more of.

In selecting the trial teams we have taken into account the eligibility criteria for Internationals in 2022 which mean that anyone born in 1952 can be selected. Hence some of the invitations to the trials will be for players who have yet to reach the magic 70th birthday.  

All the matches will be 50 overs per side, played competitively as we try to replicate the conditions for International matches but with some restrictions on batsmen and bowlers to give as many players as possible the chance to impress.

We will post the teams for each match on the website nearer the date for each match.  

70+ Internationals 2018

3rd ODI  England v Australia at Sutton CC on Monday 27th August.

With both sides having won one game, the third ODI at Sutton CC promised to be a real thriller and so it turned out.  Australia won the toss and J Petherick immediately decided to bowl first on a green, but firm dry track following heavy rain the previous day.
The England openers, Micky Swain and Andy Barnes, opened steadily against the pace attack of Tim Ron  Kasputis and rotated the strike well to put 34 on the board after 10 overs.  Unable to make a breakthrough Australia introduced C Cooke and R Edmunds into the attack.  The 50 came up in the 14th over with England looking very solid.  Smith and Pooley joined the attack as Australia struggled for a breakthrough.  After 20 overs the score was 71.
In the 24th over Smith had Swain,, who was struggling with a hamstring strain, well caught by T Wood for a solid 41 with the score 83 for 1.  Chris Swadkin joined Barnes and England stepped up a gear with some positive batting and running, and the hundred came up in the 29th over.  Wood, who had joined the attack, then caught and bowled Swadkin for 21 with the total on 120 to bring Peter Crees to the wicket.  With the score on 133 Wood then bowled Barnes for an excellent 60. Malcolm Wright joined Crees who played some glorious shots to race to 23 with five boundaries before he was tragically run out in suicidal fashion trying for an unnecessary second run with the score now 153 for 4 in the 36th over.
Martin Hall joined Wright and with some very sharp singles and aggressive batting they passed 200 in the 43rd over as Australia desperately rotated their bowling to try and contain the England batsmen.  In all, ten different bowlers were tried with little success.
With the score on 222 in the 46th over Kasputis was brought back into the attack and he bowled Wright for an entertaining 23. This brought Barry Hart to the wicket, Hall was caught by Hamman off Kasputis for a very aggressive 47 in 37 balls with the score 231 for 6. Colin Breed joined Hart and they took the final score to 251 from 50 overs; an impressive total.
Pick of the bowlers was R Kasputis who took 2 for 22 from 7 overs.

With the wicket having dried out during the morning session but runs on the board, the England opening bowler Trevor Spindler immediately hit a good length and his third ball, a beautiful in swinging delivery, had Tom Wood plumb LBW without scoring.  1 for 1. This brought the Australian captain and danger man Ian Petherick to the wicket to join the prolific John Stackpoole. Colin Breed opened at the other end and, with both bowlers getting a lot of movement,  both batsman batted.  In the 7th over with the score on 24 John Stackpoole who was struggling to get the ball away was very well caught by Swain at short extra off Spindler for 7.  24 for 2.
Alan Reid joined Petherick and after 10 overs Australia was 42 for two with Barry Hart replacing Breed. The Australians were now scoring at a run a ball,  matching the England scoring rate until Petherick took 14 from one over and the score at 20 overs was 91 for 2.  Spindler had bowled an excellent spell taking 2 for 29 from his 10 overs.
At this stage England introduced their two spin bowlers Martin Woodward and Phil Taylor who managed to slow the scoring rate, and Peter Crees then joined the attack in the 28th over.   After 30 overs Australia were on 143 for 2 and things were looking ominous as they were ahead of the scoring rate with wickets in hand.  In the 32nd over however, Reid was well stumped by Martin Burgess for  56.  Petherick was on 83 not out.
This brought Stirling Hamman to the wicket and England immediately brought Woodward back on.  After 40 overs Australia were 188 for 3 and pressure was building as Petherick reached his century and was looking very assured. Taylor was brought back and he immediately had Hammond LBW playing across the line for 16 with the score now 189 for 4.
Tim Spear joined Petherick and he played a few lusty blows until in the 45th over with the score on 216 for 5 he was run out by Hart for 13.  Australia were now behind the scoring rate and the pressure of the runs on the board was beginning to show on the Australians as incoming batsman Ray Edmunds tried to take the attack to England, but only succeeded in steepling Taylor to short midwicket where Woodward held on to a difficult catch to dismiss him for 3 with the score on 222 for 6 in the 47th over.  Phil Smith came to the wicket but was caught and bowled by Woodward for 1 to leave Australia on 232 for 7 after 48 overs.
With two overs to go and 20 runs needed and Breed bowling the game was on a knife-edge as Petherick was still at the crease on 127.  Petherick managed to score 13 from the over to take the score to 246 with one over left and 6 runs needed to win.
Barry Hart stepped up to the plate. Colin Cooke, who was batting down the order because of an injury, took a single off the second ball  but then Petherick was well caught at short midwicket by Colin Breed as he skied the ball attempting to get the boundary for an outstanding 140.  With 5 runs to win required from three balls Hart bowled two dot balls.
4 runs were required from the last ball to tie the game and 5 to win. Cooke wound himself up to unleash an enormous straight drive which appeared to be sailing over the top of deep long on substitute Stuart Bulger who was positioned right on the boundary.  As a hush descended over the ground the ball did not quite carry over Bulger’s head and he took a superb catch to give England victory.

It was a superb game of cricket and a real team effort from England with every player making a contribution to the win.

Thanks must go to Sutton CC for their marvellous hospitality and catering and to the groundsman for producing such a good wicket in difficult circumstances.

21/08/2018

The following side has been selected to represent England in the 3rd ODI on Monday 27th August at Sutton CC.

The address for the ground is Gander Green Lane,Sutton, Surrey, SM1 2EH.

Players are requested to be at the ground for 10.00 am.for Nets/warmup.

M  Swain  Capt, C  Swadkin, A Barnes, M Wright. B Hart, P Crees
M Hall, M Burgess  Wk, C Breed, P Taylor, M Woodward, T Spindler

13th Man
S Bulger

Standby
B Phillips, P Betteley

17/08/2018

2nd ODI ENGLAND 70+ v AUSTRALIA 70+
Friday 17th August at Horsham CC

England 271-2; (A.Barnes 116 (ret); C.Swadkin 62*; M.Swain 50 (ret)

Australia 249-9 (M.Woodward 4-36; P.Crees 3-62)

The England Over 70s team bounced back from defeat at Banbury with a hard fought win in the 2nd ODI at Horsham, setting up a series decider at Sutton on 27th August. 

After heavy rain the day before, water had seeped under the match pitch covers, and so the pitch was switched to a dryer surface but Mike Swain still decided to bat first. Andy Barnes joined Swain as his opening partner for this match and they created a base for the innings by seeing off the new ball successfully. Although the score had only reached 39 at the first drinks break after 17 overs, England were well placed to accelerate and Barnes in particular stepped up the tempo with Swain anchoring the innings at the other end.
Aided by the most unlikely occurrence (for an Australian team) of multiple dropped catches, the first wicket partnership passed 100 and then 150 before Swain had to retire on 50 with a hamstring problem with the score on 163, just before Barnes reached a magnificent century. Malcolm Wright did not last long but Chris Swadkin then joined Barnes and they took the score to 210 before Barnes retired on 116. Martin Hall joined Swadkin for the last 6 overs and they took full advantage of a flagging bowling and fielding side to add 61 in that time, Swadkin chancing his arm to reach 62* off 40 balls and Hall 21 from 15 to end the innings on 271.

This  total may have seemed impressive but the quality of the batting conditions was soon on show as the Aussie openers tucked in to the new ball and had the 50 up inside 9 overs. It was time to slow the scoring rate and Barry Hart (1-43) and Colin Breed  (1-38) achieved just that. Bowling their 10 over spells in tandem, they ensured the required rate started to climb and for good measure removed both openers – Stackpoole to a superb catch by skipper Mike Swain and Wood (on 63) brilliantly stumped off a wide by Martin Burgess.
Martin Woodward and Peter Crees then took over and continued in the same vein – Woodward took the vital wicket of Aussie skipper Ian Petherick via another smart Swain catch and Crees had both Reid (on 48) and Hamman stumped by Sussex colleague Burgess. 2 LBWs in an over from Woodward then put England firmly in the driving seat and victory was sealed by 22 runs.

An excellent all round bowling and fielding performance to back up the batting effort, to send England into the final match in good heart. 

12/08/2018

The following team has been selected for the 2nd ODI at Horsham CC this Friday.
The address is Cricket Field Road,Horsham Sussex, RH12 1TE.

M  Swain  Capt.
C  Swadkin
A Barnes
M Wright
B Hart
P Crees
M Hall
M Burgess  Wk.
C Breed
S Bulger
M Woodward
T Spindler

Standby
B Phillips
P Betteley

08/08/2018

1st ODI ENGLAND 70+ v AUSTRALIA 70+
Wednesday 8th August at Banbury XX CC

Having been thrashed in their previous fixture, the Australians returned to Banbury to contest the 1st ODI. Opting to bat they made a disastrous start with Tom Wood being run out in the first over.  John Stackpole made a fluent 35 before being caught behind off Trevor Spindler and then Phil Taylor claimed the key wicket of Ian Petherick, bowling him for 14. Alan Reid and Stirling Hamman added a patient 57 before Reid was bowled by Peter Crees. Martin Woodward then dismissed Hamman and Roger Edmunds leaving the visitors 160-6 from 43 overs but the lower order flourished and at the 50 over mark the total had reached 205-7.

England struggled early on in their reply, stumbling to 26-3 from twelve overs with Ron Kasputtis picking up skipper Micky Swain, Bob Phillips for a 19 ball duck and Chris Swadkin. Malcolm Wright and Barry Hart then lead a spirited recovery adding 61 before they fell in consecutive overs leaving the hosts 91-5 from 27 overs. Peter Crees and Martin Burgess took the score to 170 before Peter was bowled meaning England needed 32 from 7 overs; this was reduced to 19 from 4 overs when Martin was eighth out. Phil Taylor and Martin Woodward took the score to 193 before the latter was run out leaving the last pair needing 13 from three overs.  Unfortunately the next two overs yielded just a single run and a gallant effort fell short leaving Australia to scrape home by 5 runs.

Thanks go to Banbury XX for providing excellent hospitality for the two games; the next ODI is at Horsham on Friday 17th August.

Australia 70+ 205-7 (Stirling Hamman 43, Martin Woodward 2-43)
England 70+ 200-9 (Malcolm Wright 48, Barry Hart 45, Ron Kasputtis 3-14)
Australia 70+ won by 5 runs
Man of the Match – Ron Kasputtis

06/08/2018

CHAIRMAN’S XI v AUSTRALIA 70+ – Monday 6th August at Banbury XX CC

Micky Swain won an important toss on a hot and humid day in North Oxfordshire and, to the relief of the team, elected to bat.  Openers Miles Rawlings and Ted Levey batted steadily against a useful Aussie attack and put on 85 together before Ted was bowled in the 21st over.  Local batsman Tom Moffatt joined Miles and they added a further 58 runs before Miles was run out. Trevor Knowles was soon stumped but Tom and Stuart Bulger batted through to the end adding 78 and guiding the Chairman’s team to a 45 over total of 222-3.
The visitors made a rapid start in reply reaching 46 in 9 overs before Wavell McPherson was run out; this brought skipper and star batsman Ian Petherick to the crease. He soon lost John Stackpole LBW to Buddy Langford and when Chris Tucker and Andy Parkyn started bowling in tandem the home side began to get on top. When Petherick fell to Andy’s penultimate delivery and a second run out occurred two runs later the Chairman’s XI had the Australians reeling at 157-7. However, opening bowler Tim Spear struck a defiant 43 before becoming the ninth man out at 202. The last pair added 19 and when Buddy started his last over they needed just two runs for victory. After five dot balls the Aussies attempted a sharp single (or at least one of them did!) and with both batsmen stranded at the keepers end the run out was completed to give the Chairman’s XI victory by a single run.
Thanks to Banbury XX for providing an excellent track and sumptuous catering; things bode well for the 1st ODI there on Wednesday.

Chairman’s XI 222-3 (Tom Moffatt 62*, Miles Rawlings 58, Ted Levey 37, Stuart Bulger 34*)
Australia 70+ 221 ao (Andy Parkyn 2-24, Chris Tucker 2-43)
Man of the Match – Tom Moffatt

03/08/2018

Norfolk / Suffolk Combined vs Australia – Friday 3rd August

Australia Over 70’s made it three wins in a row with victory over a combined Norfolk and Suffolk side at Fakenham yesterday.

Looking every inch professional, the tourists resplendent in their uniformed shirts and shorts were into an extensive warm up routine as the home side could only watch.

Aussie skipper Stirling Hammond had no hesitation in batting when given the choice by Geoff Saunders and from the start showed positive intent. The home side found bowling difficult on a batting pitch well prepared by the Fakenham groundsman and it was no surprise when Tim Ward became the first batsmen to retire at the mandatory 50 run point. The introduction of both David Powell and Peter Knight provided both a reduction in the run rate and the first wicket as the Australian batsmen struggled against bowlers who took the pace off the ball. David Powell’s figures of 9-1-0-24 were to eventually win him the home team’s man of the match but more importantly, it brought the East Anglian team back into the game. For the first time in over 70’s cricket, the DRS system was used following the dismissal of an Australian batsmen for lbw. Jacko was adamant that the ball had hit pad before bat and the umpire agreed however, the appeal was withdrawn after it was agreed by both the square leg umpire and three or four players that it was in fact bat first. To add insult to injury this batsman became the second Australian to retire. Stirling Hammond fell to a diving catch, well held by Bruce Tomlinson off Jacko’s bowling ( bringing a smile to his face as he declared it was his 100th wicket since playing for Norfolk). The Australians were pushing for a large total but the introduction of Rick Walters saw two wickets fall to the man derogatory referred to as a ‘Pie chucker) for just 6 runs from his two overs. 245-4 from 45 overs as the innings closed.

It was immediately apparent post the tea break that the Australians possessed a formidable opening attack with the wicket keeper standing well back . Kasputis at one end and Spear at the other had both openers wishing they had worn thigh pads. Kasputis was fast but Spear was even quicker. It’s fair to say that no Over 70s player has faced bowlers of this pace in the National Championship since its inception.
Runs were difficult to come by as a result of both the line the bowlers were sticking to and the sharpness in the field by the visitors. 15 -1, 30-2 then 30-3 as three left handlers had all perished, however Dougie Andrews was hanging in like a limpet. Dewson joined Andrews and again the DRS system was used when Dewson was adjudged out lbw in the same circumstances as had occurred during the Australian innings. Once again the appeal was withdrawn and the batsman resumed his innings. Both Dewson and Andrews retired having reached 35 and 37 respectively . Jacko retired hurt and the innings ended on 127-6.

Whilst the margin of defeat was huge, it was a game enjoyed by all and played in the best spirits. This Australian side look capable of giving all the Counties a good game and the Three ODI’s should be well worth watching.

Fakenham Cricket Club hosted this fixture extremely well both on and off the field. The catering was superb and the whole day was a credit to Geoff Saunders and his team of helpers. Speeches were made by both sides and various people received individual accolades for their performances on the day.

Norfolk combined well with their Suffolk compatriates however this will all be forgotten when the two teams meet on the 9th and 16th August as both sides look for their first victory of the season

01/08/2018

MATCH REPORT (Weds 1st August @ Maldon CC)

Australia Over 70s 226-8 from 45 Overs (Gibson and Terrell both retired out on 50). 

Essex Over 70s 120-9 from 45 overs  (Kasputis 5 overs 2-10, Court 4 overs 2-7).  Ken Johnson 25 n.o., Keith Mitchell 24, Bobby Newman 19.

Australia were too strong for us on the day, having batted first and put a decent total on the board, mainly down to a solid start from their top order who ran well between the wickets.
Their batters 2 and 3 (Gibson and Terrell) both retired on 50. Thereafter we took wickets fairly regularly and did well to restrict them to 226 from 45 overs.
After tea, our top and middle order were blown away by some very good swing bowling from both openers (Kasputis & Court).
Bob Newman (19) was the only batter in the top 6 to have any degree of success, but a very good partnership between Ken Johnson (25 n.o.) and Keith Mitchell (24) ensured that the Aussies had to bowl all 45 overs in the warm sunshine.

02/08/2018

The England 70+ team to play Australia in the 1st ODI on 8th August at Banbury is :

M Swain  Capt, C Swadkin  V-Capt.
A Barnes, B Philips
M Wright, M Burgess  Wk
P Crees, B Hart
P Taylor, M Woodward
P Betteley, T Spindler

20/7/2018

The full sqaud to play Australia in the three ODI’s is as follows :

Mick Swain ( Captain) (Hampshire), Chris Swadkin (Vice Captain) (Kent)
Andy Barnes (Sussex), Peter Crees (Sussex)
Martin Hall (Hampshire), Barry Hart (Surrey)
Stuart Bulger (Hertfordshire), Colin Breed (Kent)
Peter Betteley (Wales), Trevor Spindler (Oxfordshire)
Martin Woodward (Worcestershire), Bob Philips (Kent)
Phil Taylor (Yorkshire), Martin Burgess (Wk Kp) Sussex
Malcolm Wright (Essex)

08/05/2018

Itinerary for the 2018 Australia 70+ Tour of the UK

Day	Date	Opposition	Venue	Start Time	Result
Mon	30-July	Hertfordshire	Tring Park		Australia won by 7 Wickets
Wed	1-Aug	Essex	Maldon CC		Australia won by 106 Runs
Frid	3-Aug	Norfolk / Suffolk	Fakenham CC		Australia won by 119 Runs
Mon	6-Aug	Chairmans XI	Banbury XX CC		Chairman’s XI won by 1 Run
Wed	8-Aug	England 1st ODI	Banbury XX CC		Australia won by 5 Runs
Frid	10-Aug	Worcestershire	Pershore CC		Australia won by 129 Runs
Mon	13-Aug	Gloucs / Warwicks	Dorridge CC		Australia won by 70 Runs
Wed	15-Aug	Wales	Abergavenny CC		Australia won by 187 Runs
Frid	17-Aug	England 2nd ODI	Horsham CC		England won by 22 Runs
Mon	20-Aug	Sussex	Horsham CC		Australia won by 58 Runs
Wed	22-Aug	Kent	The Mote CC		Australia won by 66 Runs
Frid	24-Aug	Surrey	Horsley & Send CC		Australia won by 67 Runs
Mon	27-Aug	England 3rd ODI	Sutton CC		England won by 4 Runs

England 70+ Tour to Australia Spring 2018

15/03/2018

Latest results summaries :

Australia 70+ 289-3 (50 Overs) beat England 70+ 114 All Out (42.4 Overs) by 175 Runs
Robert Ogden 39

Australia 70+ 143-6 (30 Overs) Tied with beat England 70+ 143-4 (30 Overs)

Australia 70+ 149-1 (29.4 Overs) beat England 70+ 148-8 (50 Overs) by 9 wickets

England were heavily defeated by a much superior Australian side to go two down in the five match series. England batted first on the premier Geelong Cricket Club’s ground at Kardinia Park.
Pearce and Swain put on 26 without major alarms until Swain was LBW for 15. Pearse followed, again LBW for 18 with the score on 40, and then a complete collapse followed to leave the innings in total disarray at 6 for 48. With nothing to lose, Baxter (27) and Corke (21) rebuilt the innings with a stand of 49, with Smith (15 n o) and Clarke (23 n o) putting on an unbroken 46 to take England to a close on 8 for 148. The wickets were shared between Kasputtis, Lovel and Edmunds.
To stay in the game England needed early wickets, and Spindler obliged by dismissing Stackpoole for 6. Petherick came to the wicket and continued where he had left off in Adelaide, making 74 not out with Berenger finishing on 50 not out, as Australia cruised to a nine wicket win in less than 30 overs. England must now show great improvement to have any hope of retaining the Ashes against a very competent and professional Australia team, who are proving to be strong in all departments.

England 70+ 144-5 (40 Overs) beat South Australia Country XI 132-4 (40 Overs) by 12 Runs
Trevor Knowles 30, Peter Betterley 2-14

Australia 70+ 197-7 (50 Overs) beat England 70+ 183-8 (50 Overs) by 14 Runs
Martin Pearse 36, Ian Watson 34 No, Trevor Spindler 3-23, Peter Betteley 3-37

South Australia 127-5 (45 Overs) lost to England 70+ 128-4 (41 Overs) by 6 wickets
Mike Swain (Cpt) 34, Grahame Corke 2-18

South Australia batted first on a hot day in Adelaide on a pitch that proved difficult to score on with a slow outfield. Spindler again bowled well, this time with Corke, each only conceding 18 runs in 9 overs, with Spindler taking one wicket and Corke two.
Clarke and Smith also bowled tightly against the impressive Reid who retired on 50. A late flurry of runs took South Australia to 127 in 45 overs. England found runs just as difficult to score, and lost two wickets for 22 after 11 overs. and when Swain was out for 34 with the score on 74 the game was in the balance. Baxter was joined by Smith and the two then built a match winning partnership of 54 as they took the score past South Australia without further alarms.

Western Australia 173-5 (45 Overs) lost to England 70+ 174-3 (42.5 Overs) by 7 Wickets
Barry Hart 64 Ret No, Andy Barnes (Cpt) 41, Trevor Knowles 3-17, Miles Rawlings 31 no

Western Australia 183-4 (39.1 Overs) beat England 70+ 182-5 (40 Overs) by 6 Wickets
Mike Swain 76 Ret No, Trevor Knowles 2-37

Tour Report by Nigel Ling the Tour Manager can be viewed via this link

Ashes Tour Report

13/02/2018 Winter 2018 Tour to Australia Fixture List

Day	Date	Opposition		Venue	Start Time	Result
Mon	26-Feb	Western Australia		Scarborough	9am	Lost
Wed	28-Feb	Western Australia		Iluka	10.30	Won
Frid	2-March	South Australia		Northfield	10:30	Won
Sun	4-March	Australia (ODI)		Banksia Park	10:00	Lost
Tues	6-March	South Australia Country XI		Mount Gambier	10:30	Won
Thurs	8-March	Australia (ODI)		Geelong	10:30	Lost
Sun	11-March	Australia (ODI)		Brisbane	10:30	ABND
Mon	12-March	Queensland		Caloundra	14:00	ABND
Wed	14-March	Australia (30 Over Friendly)		Buderim	10:30	TIE
Sat	17-March	Australia (ODI)		Manly TBC	10:30	Lost