Andy Crook: Dismissing Nasser Hussain to selection in Australia’s over-40s team
The Socceroos, Rodney Marsh, Nasser Hussain and ‘Freddie’ Flintoff are all part of Andy Crook’s unusual cricket journey — which now includes national Overs-40 selection.
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Andy Crook would like to say one of his off-spinners sniffed a gap and bowled Nasser Hussain “through the gate’’.
It wasn’t quite like that, but he did dismiss the England No. 3 in a tour match.
“He tried to sweep me and he got a little top-edge to (wicketkeeper) Tim Nielsen,’’ Crook says.
“Nothing glorious. But a pretty cool feather in the cap. I bowled steadily against a pretty good team.’’
It was at the Adelaide Oval in 1998. A regular state under-age representative, Crook had just turned 18 and was making his first-class debut against the tourists.
Capable with the bat but selected for his spin, the youngster played alongside Greg Blewett and Jason Gillespie against an England XI that lost the Ashes series that summer 3-1.
It did not lose to the South Australians, drawing the match after an unbeaten 223 from Graham Thorpe and 140 not out from Mark Ramprakash. Blewett crafted a century for the hosts.
For Crook, it was the start of a trek that took in County cricket for two clubs, a long break from the game to focus on the business of sport and now selection in the Australian Over 40s team for the International Masters T20 World Cup in Pakistan in December.
As he says, “it’s been a fairly interesting journey’’.
After a long absence from cricket, Crook, 44, started playing again in the Diamond Valley association three years ago.
Last season he hooked on to the Victorian Overs 40s team for the nationals. He did so well that he was selected for the Australian side that played in the World Series Cup against New Zealand, the US and Canada in Brisbane in April. The Australians won the tournament.
It has been a speedy rise through Masters ranks for Crook, just as it was more than 25 years ago when he was called up to play against the Englishmen. That season he was also selected in a Young Australia team to tour Zimbabwe.
A car accident intervened; he suffered a broken hand and fingers in the crash.
Crook stayed in the South Australian squad and was in the Cricket Academy under Rod Marsh, but never again played for the state.
In time his batting came to the fore, opening for his grade team, East Torrens.
By that stage Crook’s younger brother Steve was playing County cricket for Lancashire.
Their father, Martyn, came to Australia as a child and his family settled in the northern suburbs of Adelaide. He became a prominent footballer in the state, playing almost 200 games as a goalie for West Adelaide in the old NSL and making 14 appearances for the Socceroos.
With a British passport, Andy Crook followed his brother to England and in his second year was also selected for Lancs.
Jimmy Anderson, Andrew Flintoff, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dominic Cork, Brad Hodge, Stuart Law … there were internationals everywhere he looked in the dressing room.
“Very fortunate to have been in a team like that,’’ Crook says. “It’s one of those things you look back on and pinch yourself. At that time Lancashire and Freddie Flintoff were at the heart of that 2005 Ashes series. To be around that was incredible.’’
Just as he started against an international team, Crook finished his big cricket against New Zealand, playing for Northamptonshire, which he had joined in 2007.
His cricket eventually gave way to business.
When he was at Northants he took up a director-of-commercial role with the club, going on to steer the UK’s netball super league. He came to Melbourne to run the Trans-Tasman Netball League (now the Super Netball League) and then joined the National Basketball League when Larry Kestelman took it over.
He now has his own sports agency, Whitewall Sport.
Crook resumed playing cricket after Covid.
“I think at the time you take stock of the things you want to do and how you want to live your life, and I felt like I missed cricket,’’ he says.
“Quite badly. It was my outlet back in the day. My partner is a bit of a cricket fan and she encouraged me to get down to the local club, which at the time was Laurimar (he’s now at Hurstbridge). It went from there really. I was lucky someone sent me something to do with the Vets overs 40s and the Vic Over 40s.’’
Some of his mates have ribbed him about his national selection, pointing out he played County cricket as a “local’’.
“At the end of the day I was born in Australia, I live in Australia and I’m proud to be representing Australia in an age group that’s only growing in terms of cricket,’’ he says.
Interestingly, two of the players he got to know at the Cricket Academy have also played in the Masters: Andrew Downton and Justin Poole.
The 15-player squad to go to Pakistan for the 14-nation tournament features another former South Australian first-class player in Mark Cleary.
Another South Australian, Jamie Panelli, will captain the side.
Panelli is Kensington Cricket Club’s leading wicket-taker and the South Australian Over 40s skipper.
“It’s a huge honour to lead your country to a World Cup at any level, and with a strong squad we will be looking to go deep into the tournament,” he says.
“Pakistan will be a formidable opponent with a number of former Test and ODI stars expected to be named. But Australia and South Africa are also more than capable of lifting the trophy.
“This age group has undergone huge growth in the last three years, and now with the IMC T20 World Cup scheduled to be staged every second year, we expect the Over 40s category will only get stronger.”
The squad has been selected on performances at the 2024 Over 40s National Championships in Perth, Australia’s World Series Cup campaign and the recent T20 Toot Byron Cup, a franchise-based tournament held in Brisbane.
The touring party is Jamie Panelli (c), Peter Atkinson, Steven Baker, Scott Brant, Mark Cleary, Andy Crook, Brenton Edwards, Jeff Hemming, Luke Jackson, Nasir Jalil, Shaun Matthews, Steve Nottle, Steven Paulsen, Justin Poole, Richard Wyld
CRICKET AUSTRALIA PROFILES OF THE TOURISTS
Andy Crook, Victoria
A native of Adelaide, and now a member of the over 40s Victorian set-up, Andy Crook is an off-spinning all-rounder with the skills to play a number of roles in T20 cricket. Having played for South Australia, Lancashire and Northamptonshire, his ability to clear the ropes at the top of the order, coupled with the ability to be thrown the ball during important middle overs, will be an important asset in Pakistani conditions.
Brenton Edwards, Queensland
A powerhouse on the Over 40s scene. Despite hailing from Queensland’s famous Mission Beach, Edwards is far from laid back in his cricket. Tall, strong and athletic, he can bat, bowl and field, and when on, will be difficult to handle for the opposition. The Queenslander’s pace and power-hitting ability will be a huge asset for captain Jamie Panelli and his push to claim the World Cup.
Jamie Panelli, South Australia
A legend of Adelaide Grade cricket, the quickie spent decades troubling batsmen, along the way playing 2nd XI cricket for South Australia, and captaining and becoming the highest wicket-taker for historic Kensington Cricket Club. One of the fittest players on the Over 40s circuit, Panelli’s leadership ability and skill will play a key role in Australia’s push to win the World Cup.
Jeff Hemming, Tasmania
Already with IMC ODI World Cup experience behind him, Jeff will play a critical role as a back-up wicketkeeping option and a versatile batsman. Opening in the recent Toot Byron Cup where he performed well in critical games, he has also performed a role in the middle-order for the Australian team, creating an option for vaptain Jamie Panelli in different positions as the tournament progresses.
Justin Poole, Queensland
Australian Over 40s’ second-most capped captain is no slouch with bat or ball. His experience on the subcontinent will be invaluable as he will look to help the national team build on its successes from the 2023 Global Cup. Leading run scorer at Wynnum CC.
Luke Jackson, Queensland
Jackson is a high-energy cricketer crucial for Australia’s success at the IMC T20 World Cup. His enthusiasm in the field and his ability to hit gaps as well as provide much-needed speed between the wickets will become important as the tournament progresses. Known for an aggressive style of play, his ability to form partnerships and rotate the strike bodes well for T20 cricket.
Mark Cleary, South Australia
Having played a number of years for South Australia, Leicestershire Foxes and with selection in the Australia A team under his belt, Mildura’s Clearly is one of the most experienced players in the Australian set-up. With his ability to accurately bowl pace on and off at will, and his execution of the yorker, he will play a key role with the new ball and at the death.
Nasir Jalil, NSW
A former first-class cricketer, Sydney-based Jalil was a revelation at the 2025 Toot Byron Cup, playing a pivotal role in the Northern NSW Prawns’ push to the final. A leg-spinner in the mould of Shahid Afridi, his change of pace and tricky angle will make life difficult for batters at the IMC T20 World Cup, and his ability to consistently hit big and straight will constantly threaten the smaller boundaries in Karachi.
Peter Atkinson, Victoria
After a quality club cricket career in Melbourne’s Dandenong association, Atkinson is a classic case of getting better with age. Selected for his third appearance in the Over 40s Australian team, the Victorian’s ability to swing the ball at pace has seen him not only lead the Victorian attack but now become a key part of the bowling group.
Richard Wyld, South Australia
Wyld is another spinning all-rounder, originally from England and now calling Mildura home. He already has Over 40s Australian and IMC World Cup experience, and the way he approaches his cricket will suit the T20 World Cup campaign in Pakistan.
Scott Brant, Queensland
Brant returns to cricket after a long hiatus, but showed early in the Toot Byron Cup that he has not lost any of his classy left-arm swing talents. This will be Brant’s first time donning the Australian colours and will be keen to add an extra dimension to the bowling attack.
Shaun Matthews, South Australia
The story of Matthews is what Over 40s Masters cricket is all about. Unlike many of the Australian team, the Mildura local has played limited representative cricket, but has gone on to excel at this level. His skiddy left-arm orthodox bowling is as accurate and threatening as anyone and will play a key role at the World Cup.
Steve Nottle, Queensland
After a sensational Toot Byron Cup, Nottle forced his way into the IMC T20 World Cup squad. A tall opening batsman and clean striker of the ball, he has the game to work up and down through the gears in the T20 format of the game.
Steve Baker, Queensland
Baker is showing no signs of slowing down despite nearing the top of the age group. Considered one of the most professional players on the Over 40s circuit, his energy will be a key driver for the squad during the 12-day tournament. His glove work is immaculate and his ability to manoeuvre the ball with the bat during the middle to end of an innings makes him a dangerous proposition for Australia’s IMC T20 World Cup opponents.
Steve Paulsen, Queensland
A high-quality left-hand batsman, a skilled leg-spinner and a quality fielder, Paulsen is a player to watch at the IMC Over 40s World Cup. Already with experience in Karachi conditions, Paulsen has been a regular in the Over 40s Australian team, has Big Bash League experience, significant Queensland representative experience and continues to play T20 at Fiirst Grade level. Leading run scorer in the history of Wests.
Originally published as Andy Crook: Dismissing Nasser Hussain to selection in Australia’s over-40s team
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