By PAUL MILLAR
ONCE they were pacemen, now some have pace makers, but that competitive edge remains, as does old-school camaraderie for the Geelong Over 60 Cricket Club.
Club secretary Graham Mulroney said it was all about participation, with the social side strengthening bonds and players looking out for each other on and off the ground.
“We don’t bowl or run as fast as we used to years ago,” Mulroney admitted.
The players, however, refuse to allow their cricketing memories to remain in fading photographs on some out-of-the way shelf.
They want to continue playing as long as their bones allow them and now and then one of them will produce something for all to celebrate.
“We had a team that went to Narre Warren recently to play Casey and Lindsay Fisher (an ex-schoolteacher) clean-bowled Australian skipper Graham Yallop,” Mulrony said.
The feat gave the Geelong side plenty to talk about, especially Fisher.
Mulroney said continuing to play or returning to the game helped maintain fitness and sharpness of mind.
“Yet the social side of it is also important, as a lot of the guys are on their own. We look out for each other, it’s a support structure, our age group were workaholics and now we have time on our hands.”
The players’ ages range from approaching 60 to mid-70s and they compete against about a dozen teams from around the state.
They also play invitational matches interstate and for the more committed there is always the state side.
The Geelong cricket tragics play every Sunday from October until March, with their home base at Stinton Oval, Queen’s Park.
As part of lcao Seniors Week activities, they will have an intra-club game at Queen’s Park from 10am Sunday, with potential players invited to try out.
More information is available at geelongover60.vic.cricket.com.au.
