Vets trio earn Aus call-up

SUNRAYSIA’S veterans cricketers are at it again with another trio selected to represent Australia.

John Mensforth, Brad Purdue and Tony Hickey will pull on the green and gold for the national over-55 cricket squad in April.

The experienced cricketers will be part of history in the first ever Australian international tri-series for the age group, competing against New Zealand and an over-50 Indigenous Australian team in Mackay from April 10.

Mensforth and Hickey tasted success with South Australia in the over-55 national championships in Canberra in December, with the former scoring a century against New Zealand in the process.

Purdue meanwhile was the leading wicket-taker in the victorious over-50 championships in Newcastle, one which Mensforth also played in.

The latter duo also represented the over-50 Australia A side in a tri-series tournament in Mildura back in September.

For Mensforth, selection in the 14-man squad was something it took a while to process.

“It’s something we’ve been aiming at playing these vets games, and the avenue is there for it, but I guess I wasn’t sure if was achievable, but I’m very happy to get in there,” he said.

“Once ‘Poodle’ and I we got into that (Aus A), we said there’s an opportunity there if we work hard on it. We had good tournaments and we ended up getting the nod.

“Every kid that loves cricket looked at it when they first got a bat in their hand, and as you got older diminished a bit.

“This vets cricket is fantastic for those dreams to come back again.

“If anyone is getting to that age and still have those dreams, definitely have a crack at it.”

Purdue said to have three of the 14 players in the squad coming from the one town was a fantastic result.

“It’s great to have two other Mildura guys involved, we have played a lot of cricket together and against each other in the past and really looking forward to it,” he said.

“This is the first international tri-series with the over-55s the inaugural series, which is something we privileged to be part of.

“Veterans cricket is really growing at the moment and it’s great to be part of.”

Hickey said the opportunities veterans cricket offers are hard to knock back.

“I’m really excited to play against the best of NZ and what will no doubt be a talented indigenous team as well, particularly with ‘Jed’ and ‘Poodle’ and anther mate of ours Graham Crawford from South Australia,” he said.

“In the national championships we had an excellent team, really well balanced when it came to batting, bowling and we had some really good fielders. Then you get the rewards like this.

“It’s what veterans cricket is about, getting the opportunity to play in places you never would have the chance to as a young guy, meet different people and have a great experience.

“We still all play local cricket but it’s a different dynamic when you’re playing against some who have played first class or other high level cricket at a young age.”

The tri-series, which runs from April 10 to 16, will consist of four matches each before a final.