Mornington Peninsula’s Over 50s cricket side looking for players

A former Victorian cricket captain and a football champion have shown interest in playing in the Mornington Peninsula’s new Over 50s cricket side this summer.

Victorian wicketkeeper Darren Berry stumps Queensland batsmman Jimmy Maher in an ING Cup one day match at Punt Road in October 2001.

A couple of sporting stars of yesteryear have said they’ll play.

The recruiting drive for Mornington Peninsula’s new Over 50s cricket side is gathering momentum, with former Victorian wicketkeeper Darren Berry and footy champ Simon Goosey showing interest.

“Once word gets out I don’t think we’ll have a problem attracting players,’’ Mornington Peninsula Veterans Cricket Club president Ian Rowland said.

Mornington football coach Simon Goosey. Picture: Chris Eastman

Subject to COVID restrictions, the plan is for the new Peninsula Over 50s side to play a 40-over game every month in summer.

Berry and Goosey both live locally and have recently notched the half century.

“Chuck Berry said he’d certainly play,’’ Rowland said.

Rowland said the competition would grow in years to come.

“The aim is to have a regular fixtured competition in coming years as we do in the Over 60s,’’ he said.

“We now play 16 games (in Over 60s) every season against other clubs.

“I’ve got no doubt that in 10 years Mornington Peninsula could have three or four teams.

“We could even have our own competition. Anything’s possible because if we can get over 60s and overs 70s going there’s got to be a lot more over 50s floating around.’’

Ron Lovel, Lindsay Murray, Phil Mayne, John Marriott and Ian Rowland from the Mornington Peninsula Over 60s Cricket Side. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Rowland said the benefits of veterans cricket included playing with people the same age, mateship and the chance to play representative cricket — even for Victoria and Australia.

He joked that “mad fast bowlers became mad medium pacers’’ in veterans cricket.

“It’s like a sporting Men’s Shed,’’ he said.

“It really has saved some people.

“We started from nothing 11 years ago and now have a fantastic set up with normal games plus our national carnivals and World Cups which is also part of the Over 50s scene as well.’’

If you’re keen to get involved, call Ian on 0490 964375 or email: [e-mail].

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