As with his haircut, you would imagine, Clive Ricks saw no reason to change his bowling run-up too much over the years - even when he entered the realms of veterans cricket and he lost the top of three fingers on his bowling hand in a lawnmower accident.
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The accident, which happened about five years ago, was the sole interruption in a league-cricket career spanning some five decades, and reached its apogee when the opening bowler played county cricket for Sussex's second XI.
"I had a year or so off because I decided to cut my fingernails using a lawnmower, and lost the tips of three fingers," he said.
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Recuperating from the accident, he had thought that his playing days were over. "And then I was persuaded to play in a charity game. Despite the fact that I can't feel the ball coming out, it seemed to be landing in the right places ... I still bowl off roughly the same run-up, but most of the guys say I run in faster than I bowl."
Ricks is player/manager of the England over-60 side's 33-day tour of Australia. They play Northern NSW at No 1 Oval on Saturday afternoon.
England has brought 18 players to Australia. They come from all over the country. None played first-class cricket, Ricks said, but a number of them reached quite a high standard in the game.
He spoke to the Leader at a civic reception and shirt presentation at Oxley Lookout on Saturday morning. Dressed smartly in a navy-blue tour blazer and a red, white and blue tie, and sporting a tan and a lean body, he presented as the epitome of a healthy and active man maximising his latter years.
"Well, I'm going to be 16 next year," he said, when asked his age.
For the retired teacher (he headed two large English schools), cricket consumes his life. During the last English summer, when Australia and Pakistan sent veteran sides to the country, he chaired the national 60-plus competition, personally ran a competition, planned the 60-plus tour of Australia, and played cricket twice a week.
"It's seven-days-a-week cricket," he said. "It doesn't always please the other half, but ..."
There are about 1200 registered players involved in 60-plus and 70-plus cricket in England, he said. "It's really taken off. I was thinking in both countries [Australia and England]: the biggest participation increase in players [of any sport]."
The third and final Test between Australia and England will take place in Brisbane on December 8. The series is level.
Ricks said: "The series are always close, and it keeps everybody fit and its just great to tour and see a lot of the other country and to play some competitive cricket, but probably get to share a few beers afterwards."
The match against Northern NSW at No 1 Oval starts at 3pm.
