Keith Carr reaches his 1000th game as either an umpire or player in the Eastern Cricket Association

AFTER 66 consecutive years involved with cricket, Keith Carr has recorded a milestone that is unlikely to be matched for as long as the Eastern Cricket Association continues.

Keith Carr recently participated in his 1000th game of cricket as either an umpire or player in the Eastern Cricket Association. Picture: Ken Piesse

KEITH Carr’s affection for cricket blossomed just after World War II at a time when champion all-rounder Keith Miller was in his pomp and Sir Robert Menzies was starting his first term as Prime Minister.

But after 66 consecutive years involved with Australia’s favourite summer sport, Carr has recorded a magnificent milestone that is unlikely to be matched for as long as the Eastern Cricket Association exists.

Carr, who turns 80 later this month, recently participated in his 1000th and final Eastern Cricket Association game as either an umpire or player

Carr brought up the achievement when he officiated in the Round 7 fixture between Deepdene Uniting and Trinity Willison, umpiring his 535th and final match on December 9.

Congratulations to Keith Carr (front centre) who last weekend celebrated 1⃣0⃣0⃣0⃣matches playing and umpiring for @EasternCricket! Fantastic achievement and dedication to 🏏 pic.twitter.com/m5AvDOwTZi

— Cricket Victoria (@cricketvictoria) 10 December 2017

KEITH CARR: 1000 GAMES AS AN UMPIRE OR PLAYER

On Saturday 9 December 2017 Keith Carr will participate in his 1000th game of cricket, either as a player (462 games) or umpire (538 games). All of the ECA congratulates Keith on this amazing achievement. Full details on ECA website pic.twitter.com/a3reIQQKgv

— EasternCricket Assoc (@EasternCricket) 4 December 2017

In a fitting tribute, both teams formed a guard of honour for Carr and Cricket Victoria presented a certificate and letter signed by chief executive Tony Dodemaide.

“It’s a passion, I’ve always had that interest, it’s just been my life,” Carr reflected.

“There are a few highlights as an umpire and player, umpiring you obviously never get it right, you’re either blind or you’re deaf.

“We had some very erratic and rough players in the early days but nowadays it is played in pretty good spirits.”

Carr, an opening batsman renowned for his panache with willow in hand, first strapped on the pads in 1952 for Barkers Road Methodists.

As an 18-year-old, he hooked and pulled 43 runs in the first over of a game against former Hawthorn footballer John Tickell in 1956.

In the days of eight-ball overs, Carr belted seven sixes and a single at Hislop Park before being bowled by Tickell in the third over of the game for 54.

He moved to Blackburn Methodists ahead of the 1961-62 season, carving out five centuries and eight 50s in 104 games.

In 1969-70 he made the move to Blackburn South/Bennettswood, playing 238 games, registering five tons and 37 fifties over about 20 years before retiring at the end of 1987-88.

“I got a lot of joy out of playing, I didn’t bowl much but I was a cover fielder and when I got older I then kept,” he said.

Even while he was playing, he always held a passion for umpiring.

“I always went out and umpired when I had been dismissed,” he said.

“It was something I was driven to in a way and I enjoyed being in the game.”

Carr went on to umpire 21 MacGibbon Shield (the top synthetic ECA division) grand finals, received life membership of the umpires association and was awarded an Australian Sports Medal in 2001 for his services to cricket.

On top of his playing and umpiring achievements, he has also served as the association’s finance manager for 20 years, but will retire from that role at the end of the season. He also served in several other executive positions.

ECA president Mike Slattery hailed Carr as a legend of the ECA.

“Such a well respected person around the association and all the clubs,” Slattery said.

“It’s just an incredible record, I’ve heard nothing like it.”

Recent health battles have forced Carr to call time but is thankful he was allowed to bring up a milestone that few others can lay claim to in the sport’s long history.

“The association have been good to allow me to do it and the clubs have been good, too,” he said.

“It is a fitting end to the career I’ve had.”