Adelaide-bound cricket vets (from left) Col Barton, Terry Cohen, Doug Crowell, Peter Virgen, Terry Murphy, Bob Haling, Noel Cook and Mike Cashman. Photo: Barry Smith 261012BSE01
VETS cricketers went under the No 1 Oval lights in Tamworth last Friday and will return again this evening as they prepare for a looming Australian Over 60 Veterans Cricket Championships in Adelaide.
Around a dozen players from Tamworth, Quirindi and Armidale have been selected in four NSW teams to contest the national championship in Adelaide from November 10-16 and some of them gathered at No 1 Oval last Friday for a 40- over-a-side day-night game against local vets.
They will assemble again for another vets’ trial this evening to help prepare the vets for their national titles.
Last Friday’s trial was split into 20-over halves with first one side batting 20 and then the other side 20 so both could enjoy batting and bowling under the lights.
Walcha’s Robert “Truck” Laurie started the game with a flurry, taking 14 off Fred Baker’s first over for Boyd’s XI.
After guiding a two behind point and then placing two back foot drives into the covers for twos, Laurie then belted two fours in succession to start the game in brilliant fashion.
He and fellow opener Maurice Hamilton retired after 10 overs.
While Hamilton retired, Laurie returned later on after Col Worrad (16), Brian Wellings (18 ret), Greg Tideman (23 ret), Quirindi’s Terry Cohen (28no) and Dave Williamson (13) had batted.
Laurie finished with an unbeaten 35 in a total of 4-155 in which Bob Haling (1-25), Gary Whale (1-12) and Denby Budden (1-14) had been the wicket-takers.
Murphy’s XI chased down the score well with opener Col Barton (25no), Bob Haling (40no) and Whale (30ret) the main run scorers against an attack best served by Cohen (1-14 off 6), Maurie Hamilton (1-15) and Brian Wellings (1-30).
Noel Cook is playing in Adelaide for the NSW Boomerangs in Adelaide but didn’t play last Friday as he was still recovering from surgery to his left ear.
“We’re going down a bit earlier,” Cook said of a what is being combined as a family holiday.
“We’re going to Victor Harbour for a few days first to have a look around.
“Then back up to Adelaide and the championships.
“We’ll be playing in and around the suburban grounds and then have a dinner on the Thursday night to finish.
“Then the Test starts I think.
“We’ve got about 10 in the four teams, three (Bob Haling, Peter Virgen and Albie Barwick) in the number one side.
“I’m in the Boomerangs side with Mike Cashman and Col Barton.”
Barwick is vice captain of the number one NSW side, the Waratahs, with his England tour mates Peter Virgen, Bob Haling and Quirindi medium pacer Dennis Moran.