Cricket camaraderie to the fore

Marlborough’s cricket season drew to a close at the weekend – albeit with a strong international flavour.

Winding up the 2014-25 season at Horton Park were two 50-over fixtures between the New Zealand and Australian Over-60 representative sides.

The matches were part of a three-game international series, the first two played in Blenheim, the third at the Willows ground in North Canterbury.

Unfortunately for the “home” side the Blenheim clashes did not go their way, their Aussie counterparts winning both comfortably.

In the opening match on Friday, Australia were sent in and scored a modest 161, being dismissed in the 43rd over. The Kiwis stuttered their way to 117 before being all out in the 41st over.

The Aussies chose to bat first in Saturday’s game two and looked more comfortable on the Horton Park pitch, amassing a formidable 236-9 from an abbreviated 45 overs. New Zealand never got close to their target, their top score being 16 as they capitulated for just 103 in 35 overs, unable to get on top of an accurate, persistent Aussie attack.

The 15-man visiting squad is on a six-match NZ tour. They started in Auckland against Parnell, a match that was unfortunately washed out, then played a North Island XI in Tauranga before coming south to Marlborough.

After playing at the Willows on Monday, they finish up with a game against an over-55 side at the Valley of Peace ground in Canterbury on Wednesday.

Guiding the side around Aotearoa is manager/scorer Roger Bryce, from Melbourne.

Roger was with the side last year when they claimed the Over-60 World Cup in Chennai, India. They beat New Zealand in the semifinal, then accounted for England in the final. He was full of praise for the reception he and the side have received so far.

“The trip has been magnificent,” he said. “We have had great support from the locals everywhere we have been. The games have been played with great camaraderie … the hospitality has been superb.”

The only (minor) hitch so far was misplacing three cricket bags on arrival in Blenheim, but that was soon sorted out and Roger says the co-operation of the Marlborough Cricket Association officials, “has been wonderful, they have looked after us and our supporters really well”. The Aussies are accompanied by six players’ wives and even one player’s father.

Although these are contests between men who will freely admit they are in the twilight of their cricketing careers, there is a steely determination to represent their country with pride from all concerned.

From the lengthy warm-up, to the coin toss and the respective national anthems there is a professional tone to proceedings.

“Everyone is really proud, and they should be,” said Roger.

“It’s not Mickey Mouse, it might be over-60s but when they cross the line it is a battle … then when they cross the line coming off the park the camaraderie is magnificent, it really is,” he added.