86 not out
Veteran Ken still playing cricket
AT the age of 86, veteran cricketer Ken Hainsworth is still having a very good innings…
And he has no intention of declaring just yet. The great-grandad began playing for his club in 1958, and for the past 40 years has been the groundsman.
Dad-of-two Ken said: “Cricket has definitely been my life, for all our family.
“I should be retiring, really, but I’ve done it that long I don’t know anything else. All the family played in those days because there was no money to do anything else. My daughter played.”
The all-rounder has notched up thousands of games for 120-year-old Glasshouses Cricket Club in Nidderdale, North Yorks. He said his highest score was an “amazing” 75.
Ken’s house is right next to the ground and when not playing he often watches games from there. He said: “I got married in 1959 and moved into this house in 1960.
“When I’m not playing I can sit on my balcony with a glass of wine and a packet of crisps. They wave to me.”
Ken told how wife Sheila, 83, also gets involved when “the tea ladies come tapping on our door for milk”.
But the retired electricity line repair worker fears no youngsters will last as long as him in the game.
He said: “The biggest change is there are not as many players. It’s going down the swanny is cricket.
“The young ones these days are all with their magic boxes, iPads and all that carry on.
“We used to have 74 matches a season but now it’s down to 24.”
I should be retiring, but I’ve done it that long I don’t know anything else
KEN HAINSWORTH ON HIS MANY YEARS AS A CRICKETER