SA veteran cricketer Mike Riley snares an incredible 8/8 in SA’s clash against NSW
Mike Riley – or Magic as his teammates call him – reckons a bit of good luck is behind his stunning entry into Australia’s veteran cricket history books.
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Mike Riley reckons a bit of good luck is behind his stunning entry into Australia’s veteran cricket history books.
Riley had already played in SA’s over-60s clash against Victoria during the Willowfest Carnival in Mildura and was all but set for the trek back home to Adelaide.
But SA’s over-50s side needed a spin bowler so Riley put his hand up to help play against NSW last week.
And the 69-year-old did more than just lend a hand, snaring an incredible 8/8 off seven overs.
Before the Adelaide University Cricket Club member’s amazing haul, SA set NSW a target of 132.
NSW was cruising at 1/83 when Riley entered.
He then led SA to victory with NSW being all out for 121.
“I didn’t expect to be playing so it was a bit of a hurry to get the gear on and get out on the field,” Riley, of West Beach, said.
“Initially because it was an over-50s team I went into it thinking ‘I hope I can justify my place’.
“I came on when they were 1/83 and they were just cruising so we thought they were going to clean us up but the rest as they say is just history.
“It was one of those spells where everything worked.
“It was probably a bit of skill involved.”
It is believed Riley’s figures are the best bowling performance in an Australian over-50s game.
Although it does not match former English cricketer Jim Laker’s feat of taking all 10 wickets in an innings, or Sir Richard Hadlee’s 9/52 against Australia at the Gabba in 1985, Riley’s 8/8 is better than two others.
In 1993, ex-West Indies fearsome fast bowler Curtly Ambrose finished with 7/1 in Perth to dismiss Australia for 119, and ex-English star Bob Willis took 8/43.
“After the first over, I thought someone was going to pinch me and I’d wake up with it all being a dream,” Riley said.
“It’s a great feeling and I played with a great bunch of blokes — I think there were four or five of my Adelaide Uni veterans teammates on the team.
“These are people you have experienced with and you just enjoy being around them.”
Riley is originally from SA but has spent the past 40 years in Colorado, US, working as an engineer.
He was instrumental in setting up the Colorado Cricket League and is the leading wicket-taker in the competition.
Riley and his wife Susan bought a house in Adelaide five years ago with an aim of relocating back home to retire.
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has led to the couple returning to Adelaide sooner than expected.
Riley, who is nicknamed ‘Magic’ by his Uni teammates, also plays in Adelaide Turf Cricket’s C1 LO4 competition.
His record against NSW will put him in contention to play for SA’s over-50s at the Veterans Cricket National Championships, which will be hosted in Adelaide in November.
“I spent a lot of time during the COVID shutdown last year really working on my bowling and batting with an Adelaide Uni teammate, Frank Sergi, so I have him to thank for my form,” Riley said.
“I hope this gives more exposure to veterans cricket and people will be interested to see whether they can come along and join us.”
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