Identical twins Josh and Tyson Windus to face off in Round 3 of the T20 Knockout Cup

Two Geelong brothers, separated by a minute at birth, will face off tonight in Round 3 of the T20 Knockout Cup for just the second time in their careers.

Willem Breuer appeals for the wicket of Tyson Windus. Picture: Wes Cusworth

They might be separated by a minute at birth but tonight at Burdoo Recreation Reserve, the only major difference will be the colours they wear.

Torquay-raised identical twins Josh and Tyson Windus, 22, will play for Grovedale and the Two Blues respectively in Round 3 of the T20 Knockout Cup.

The Windus brothers will face off for just the second time on the cricket field after both left the Tigers ahead of the 2022-23 season, after joining the club at the age of 12 from Melbourne.

“We both really enjoy doing the same things,” Josh said.

“We both play footy, we both play cricket, we’re both tradies.

“I can’t get away from him sometimes (laughs).

Josh Windus batting for Grovedale. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

“We’ve grown up together for 20 years so we’re pretty similar all round I guess.”

Josh comes into the game with decent short format form, posting scores of 16 and 35 so far, plus a cheeky 3-6 against Teesdale in Round 1 of the competition.

However, the modest all-rounder is reluctant to talk up his “ordinary orthodox” left armers.

“I somehow managed to wrangle myself a bowl,” he said.

“They came out OK. If I ever have to bowl again I think we’re in deep trouble.”

Tyson, on the other hand, made an unbeaten 15 against South Barwon in the opening round and claimed 1-8 against Geelong West.

Josh is expecting plenty of healthy banter tonight, following their previous encounter last summer in GCA1 second grade.

“There was a bit of chirp,” he recalled.

Tyson Windus bats for Newtown & Chilwell. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

“There always is ... more from his side I think, but there’s always a good battle.

“We both went pretty ordinary (that day) and we let each other know about it afterwards.”

Josh believes the game’s shortest format suits his style of batting: “I don’t have much patience unfortunately.”

However, it’s not just on the cricket field where the brothers have duked it out in recent times.

The pair also lined up on each other in this season’s reserves BFNL semi-final, with Josh playing for Torquay and Tyson a proud Seagull: “I think mum was a bit antsy.”

Tyson Windus keeps for Torquay against Manifold Heights at Spring Creek Reserve in October, 2017. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Josh said he had loved the switch to Grovedale so far, with plenty of starts this summer, recording scores of 56 and 38 in first grade against Lara and East Belmont respectively.

“I thought I’d give it a crack, a ‘what’s the worst thing that can happen’ sort of thing,” he said of his move.

“It’s worked out pretty well so far.”

Originally published as Identical twins Josh and Tyson Windus to face off in Round 3 of the T20 Knockout Cup