Vintage players face old foes
Ewen Chatfield off a short run is worth watching any day of the week.
The former international cricketer will be a key member, and possible skipper, of a Wellington over-60s side that will take on their Australian counterparts at Linden on Saturday.
North City Turtles team members Paul Tessier, Grant Baker and Murray Riley will join former Wellington players Brian Cederwall and Ross Ormiston in the Wellington team for the 50-over game.
‘‘It’s hugely exciting for us,’’ Baker said.
‘‘We don’t know too much about this Aussie side, except they have Colin Cooke, who used to open the bowling in Sheffield Shield cricket with Jeff Thomson.
‘‘Regardless, they will be taking it seriously.’’
Baker said it was the first international-level game he could recall being played on Linden Park and would be a treat for spectators and fans.
There is no premier cricket on Saturday and it is in the middle of a long weekend.
‘‘The Australians are bringing a squad of 18 and supporters, as they’re on a bit of a tour,’’ Baker said.
‘‘ We’re hoping to get a few people down to the ground if the weather is good. ‘‘It should be a good day.’’ Chatfield, 64, plays regularly in senior and vintage club cricket.
He said he was keen to get among the Australians.
If he is named captain and wins the toss, he said he would probably bowl first on the traditionally low and slow Linden Park grass strip.
‘‘Once the adrenaline kicks in, I’ll be ready to go,’’ said the man once dubbed ‘‘ the Naenae Express’’.
Former international umpire Evan Watkin, from Whitby, will officiate.
Baker said the vintage cricket competition was growing more popular in Wellington.
Players for the over- 60s Wellington side were selected from that competition.
In 2012, there were five teams, last year eight and this year 12, from around the region.
They play in two grades of six teams on Sundays.
‘‘In Australia, vintage cricket is huge, and we’re getting there in New Zealand, but maybe not quite to the point of having an international team yet,’’ Baker said.
‘‘ It’s serious, but there is a social side and it also serves to get older players back into the sport and into administration at clubs.’’
Vintage cricket was growing in other regions as well, although it had been slow to take hold in the South Island, Baker said.
The match on Saturday begins at 11am.