Victoria names its Over 50s sides to tackle South Australia

Victoria has selected its Over 50s cricket sides to tackle South Australia. And a former top-level batsman is among the names. SEE THE TEAMS

Chris McDonough will play for Victoria’s Over 50s side.

For some, it’s been half a century in the making.

Others have achieved it already.

Selection in a Victorian cricket team is an honour to cherish — and that’s exactly what nearly 50 veteran players will do next month.

Victoria’s Over 50s will host South Australia at Jubilee Park in Frankston on March 15-16.

Two state games — a 1st XI and 2nd XI — will be played on both days.

Dozens of outstanding, accomplished players will be in action.

Former Victorian Sheffield Shield batsman Brendan Ricci will line-up in the Big V Over 50s.

Ricci played 250 District games with Ringwood and Melbourne Uni and scored 7651 runs, with 11 tons, and played for Victoria in the mid-1990s.

At 56, he is still going strong.

Brendan Ricci batting for Victoria against New South Wales at the SCG.

David Roach will captain Victoria’s 1st XI side, which will include state debutant Chris McDonough, from Mt Eliza.

The left-arm paceman says it will be a dream come true to play for Victoria.

He knew little about veterans cricket until a year ago when he went along to state training.

He wanted to challenge himself and was excited by the chance to play for his state and even Australia.

“Training is intense, it’s unbelievable,” McDonough said.

David Roach.

Shane Beggs.

“I was really excited by that journey. I’m loving it to be honest.”

Two other players from the Mornington Peninsula region will play for Victoria — Henry Dolphin and Shane Beggs.

Victoria has plenty of motivation, with South Australia claiming current bragging rights after winning the past few clashes between the states.

Victoria’s Over 50s sides, to play against South Australia on March 15-16:

March 15

1st XI: David Roach (captain), Darren Hill (vice captain), Nick Bole-Brown, Paul Evans, Craig Gislingham, Alex Jesensek (wk), Chris McDonough, Allan Pearce, Rohan Pike, Brendan Ricci, Richard Saniga, Ty Watts.

2nd XI: Rod Kiddle (captain), Jason Simmonds (vice captain), Jason Brooker (wk), Tim Cherry, Henry Dolphin, Troy Harris, Alan Jones, Brad McDonald, Stephen Rando, Michael Whitehead, Mark Unternahrer, Anthony Wilkes, Brad Norman.

Mark Unternahrer.

Andrew Wyver.

March 16

1st XI: David Roach (captain), Allan Pearce (vice captain), Sean Arbuckle (wk), Shane Beggs, Terry Beks, Bill Blair, Henry Dolphin, Dillon Fernandesz, Dani Howe, Chris McCartin, Chris McDonough, Andrew Sharp, Andrew Wyver.

2nd XI: Anthony Uhr-Henry (captain), Tony Calnon (vice captain, wk), Ben Carnell, Warwick Dickson, Darryn Fisk, Alistair Gray, Stephen Gray, Rodney Jones, David Robinson, Steve Rogers, Patrick Spiteri, Chris Stacey, Andrew Wheeler.