Main Ridge cricket legend Lloyd Hosking takes 500th wicket

A 69-year-old Main Ridge cricketer playing Second XI has reached the milestone of 500 wickets, helping his side pull off a thrilling win.

Lloyd Hosking, holding the ball, is surrounded by his Main Ridge teammates after taking his 500th wicket. Picture: Facebook

He’s always thrived on a challenge.

So when Main Ridge cricketer Lloyd Hosking, 69, was asked by his captain on Saturday to bowl first change in a Mornington Peninsula Second XI match against Seaford, his eyes lit up.

What followed was a special moment in Main Ridge history.

Hosking, bowling off spin, struck immediately to capture his 500th wicket.

Raucous celebrations followed but the man who played his first game in 1965 had more work to do.

Hosking went on to take 2-30 off eight overs, helping restrict Seaford to 5-209 off 40 overs.

It was a vital spell as Main Ridge, in reply, squeaked home in the final over of the day, eight down.

Lloyd Hosking played his 500th game three years ago.

Hosking in 2019. Pictures: Andy Brownbill

After the game, Hosking celebrated with a well deserved cold drink in the Seaford social rooms.

“He’s an absolutely incredible man,” Main Ridge coach Gareth Wyatt said.

“He is the glue that keeps the place together.

“He’s one of those guys who is the motivator of the club, he gets around people and gets up them when he thinks they’re not pulling their weight.”

Hosking suffered a heart attack 18 months ago but it hasn’t stopped him from pursuing his love of cricket.

He usually plays in the thirds but stepped up to the seconds on Saturday when the club was short on players.

“He’s still holding his own,” Wyatt said.

“It was good that Trav (Barker) brought him on early and he got the wicket.

“The Seaford boys were superb, acknowledging him and buying him beers and things like that.

“He was in his element.”

Hosking’s teammates on Saturday included Jack Simmons and Jarrah Porter, both 15 — and both 54 years younger than the great man.

Hosking was 12 and a pupil at nearby Red Hill Consolidated Primary School in 1965 when he first walked into Main Ridge Cricket Club, along with a bunch of school mates.

It was the start of a long and fulfilling innings.

“There was quite a group of us,” Hosking said.

“Probably three quarters of the team were under 14, playing senior cricket.”

An outstanding fielder who was more than capable with the bat and a handy spin bowler, Hosking was a valuable member of Main Ridge’s First XI for many years.

He played his 500th game for the club three years ago.