Official Over 60s tours between Australia and England have been conducted almost every year since 2011. Unofficially, the winner of each series becomes the custodian of “The Grey Ashes” with Australia’s only victory coming in 2015. This year we are once again in familiar territory – chasing victory in the northern hemisphere – after being defeated by a highly organised and talented (not to mention motivated!) England team on our home pitches. We are looking forward to travelling north to Scotland and west to Wales as well as playing in the established centres of English veterans cricket.
For people of our vintage, to travel to the other side of the world and to visit places we’ve heard or read about with others of a like-mind is an adventure. But we all know that this adventure has a serious side too – a late and rare chance to represent our country against the most traditional of opponents – and that this will ensure a competitive, hard-fought series. I congratulate tour leaders – Captain Murray Harrison, Greg Quinn, Simon Lyon and Manager Neil King – and know they will do all they can to make sure the team brings a fierce but fair and generous approach to its cricket.
Back at home, hearing of the adventures will be fun, but more importantly we look forward to hearing of team and individual performances that lead to victories against all-comers, and an Australian series win. On behalf of the Board of Veterans Cricket Australia and all its members, I wish all members of the group – players and accompanying partners - all the best. I hope the entire tour, both on and off the field, will be all you wish it to be.
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13 Jul 2017 by Andrew Tank Nielsen
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