Veterans Cricket: More Over 50s sides for Mornington Peninsula

Veterans cricket is booming and the Mornington Peninsula could soon be leading the pack, according to a top Victorian cricket official.

Mornington Peninsula players Andrew Shannon (left), Chris Lanting (middle) and Brendon Gardner with the Hammerhead (the trophy for man-of-the-match) on the ferry back from French Island. Picture: Supplied

A leading Victorian veterans cricket official says the Mornington Peninsula is the sleeping giant of Over 50s cricket.

Victorian Over 50s chair Peter Verechia wants more Mornington Peninsula players to start playing “vets’’ and to strive to represent Victoria and even Australia.

He believes the talent is there.

“Veterans cricket is one of the fastest growing sports in Australia,’’ Verechia said.

“I think people understand, yes, there’s an Over 50s competition.

“But the whole pathway to playing for Victoria and potentially playing for Australia people don’t know that.

“And there’s a lot of guys down on the Mornington Peninsula who would certainly be good enough to play that.’’

There are veterans cricket sides from all around Melbourne and country areas, with Geelong particularly strong.

Morninigton Peninsula's Over 50s players. Picture: Supplied

Mornington Peninsula currently fields only one Over 50s side.

Captained by Heatherhill champion David “Scabs’’ Martin, the side — self-named the Hammerheads — won the Lyrebird Shield premiership last season.

They sit atop the ladder this season and have not lost a game since they started in November, 2020.

They even played an “overseas’’ game before Christmas, taking on South Gippsland on French Island.

It was a fantastic and fun day, with Diane Spark, Rob Thompson and the French Island Cricket Club playing perfect hosts.

It is hoped this will become an annual venue between the two clubs.

Verechia wants to see Mornington Peninsula field more Over 50s teams next season.

“I want to come down and have a chat with the stakeholders,” he said.

“There’s lots of different scenarios. You’ve got Frankston Peninsula there, a great facility.’’

Mornington Peninsula and South Gippsland players pose for a pic at French Island. Picture: Supplied

Verechia said there were exciting opportunities and tours available for older cricketers.

“I’ve played veterans for three years and I wasn’t aware of the pathway into the Victorian side and then up into potentially the Australian side,’’ he said.

“And I don’t think a lot of blokes are aware of that.

“For a lot of us it’s all about just playing for just participation.

“But a lot of these guys play for cricket excellenece and they want to play the highest level if they can.

“We want to give them the opportunity.’’

Action from the Mornington Peninsula Over 60s game against South Gippsland. Phil Mayne is the wicketkeeper. Picture: Facebook

There was be a feast of veterans cricket at Jubilee Park in Frankston last Sunday, with Mornington Peninsula’s Over 50s and Over 60s both in action.

AFL great Dermott Brereton took his first wicket in what he claimed to be 35 years to help the Over 50s side defeat Jindivick.

The feat was rewarded after the game when he was presented with the Hammerhead — the side’s unique special trophy.

He has to hold on to it until the next game; he said he would “cherish’’ it during a speech after the game.

The Mornington Peninsula Over 50s side includes Dave Hunter, Peter Lane, the indomitable Craig “Burger’’ Burch, former Dolphins footballer Andrew Shannon and inaugural Frankston Peninsula player Peter Klauer.

The Over 60s side includes the great Ian “Woofy’’ Rowland, legendary Phil Mayne, Ron Salkowski, John Marriott and Mark Dunn.