At 78 Richard Phillips is still teaching the kids a thing to two at Deer Park

Cricket has been one of Richard Phillips’ lifes works as he teaches his young teammates - and sometimes rivals – a thing or two about the game he loves.

Richard Phillips with Deer Park juniors Tommy Sufi-Ismail and Finn Setterfield.

Richard Phillips is still teaching the kids a thing or two, whether they be clubmates or rivals.

At 78, the Deer Park stalwart is still running around in the Lions’ Fourth XI while also coaching the clubs juniors during the week.

On Saturday, he showed off his bowling skills by ripping through Werribee Centrals’ top order and finishing with 3-36 from seven overs.

While the result didn’t end up going Deer Park’s way, Phillips certainly showed he’s still got it.

Earlier in the season, he snared 3-5 against Glen Orden off just 1.2 overs as well.

Richard Phillips (centre) with Deer Park juniors Tommy Sufi-Ismail and Finn Setterfield.

At his age, he’s thankful for every game he gets to play.

“I’ve been playing a bit, the boys allow me to have a game with them from time to time,” he said.

“I stay reasonably fit, I eat well and keep myself strong in the arms and legs, and try to play good cricket.

“I appreciate them letting me have a game, there’s plenty of people that could fill the side, so I enjoy it very much.

“I managed to get the ball moving the way I wanted.

“It doesn’t always work for me, depending on the conditions and when I get to use it, the newer ball the better.

“I learnt many years ago when I was playing A-Grade for Footscray United to move an old ball, I’d get the ball third or fourth ball sometimes.”

While playing on a Saturday is enjoyable it’s teaching the next generation of cricketers that fuels Phillips.

He is Deer Park’s skills coach, working with young players across the club’s age groups on batting, bowling and fielding.

Seeing youngsters come into the club, develop and move into the senior ranks is the reward.

Phillips said teaching the game has been something he’s dedicated the majority of his life to.

“I enjoy playing cricket but, most of all, coaching and I did some umpiring for the VTCA too before I was lured back to playing,” he said.

“I’ve dedicated my life, the last 45 years or so, to cricket.

“You need to dedicate yourself to something so I use it as a purpose to live and be a part of the community and Deer Park has been fantastic.

“The kids are fantastic, I really enjoy coaching the kids and we work well together, the club is producing some stars of the future.

“Deer Park has been very accepting, I started seven years ago.

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“Their attitude to junior cricket is fantastic, we’ve got six junior sides and Cubs Cricket, and go well.

“Steve Krstevski, the president, is very inclusive with everyone and Mick Andriadis is a magnificent man and a good mentor for the senior players.”

Deer Park sits in third on the Western Suburbs Churches and Community Cricket Association Division 14 ladder and looks in a strong position to play finals.

There are four games remaining in the season with the Lions facing Glen Orden on Saturday at Tom Roberts Reserve.