The Australian Over Sixties Cricket carnival was held Nov 15-19. Three Baysidieans joined the Australian Cricket Society’s Eleven to experience the Apple Isles delights – Chain Saw Taylor, Squadron Leader Jenvey (recently demoted from Wing Commander for fielding dismeanours), and yours truly, the ECT.  Much fun was had and the cricket was passable, in view of the advanced age of us all.. The highlight was , once again, the big V’s winning of the John Hammer Shield in first division.  Beating a Queensland side that boasted four ex Sheffield Shield players, was no mean feat.

Highlights for the Australian Cricket Society’s Ensemble were

- in the first match, the lack of interest displayed by the Chain Saw and the Squadron Leader (deserving of a further demotion to Flying Officer) in the foundation innings played by the ECT (now known as Ponsford, or by friends as Ponny) and The Hon Ian Hammett. They slept thru it, and then, did not take advantage of their predecessors gritty hardwork in setting up the game for them. In fact the Chain Saw critiqued the slowness of the ECTs batting – totally unfair, having slept thru one massively  smote six, and then himself, taking ten balls to get off the mark

- the scintillating catching of Andrew Blyth and the ECT.  Also Nev Brown kept as only Wally Grout could.

- everyone awaited expectantly for the batting of  Ian Spencer, only to see him fall  L BW to the second bounce of an inoffensive but not innocuous delivery.    However  Ian, with innings of consumate skill and grace, made up for this in following matches.  One six over mid-on landed thirty metres over the fence – the ECT was proud that it was his bat that was used in this mighty blow.

- The Right  Honourable Ian Hammett avoided dismissal in all games with effete batting highlighted by elegant off-driving.   He endured the agonies of wicket-keeping thru the greater part of the carnival. Also  his organisation of our visit was very much appreciated

- Des Lloyd also batted with doughty aplomb and bowled with some discipline. Some in the team dubbed him with the name Kylie Moll, after his threating instructions to “look at me”, when he took over the captaincy in the second game. In fact, Des seemed to be one of several on field  captains even  when he was not the nominated leader.

- John Smith displayed fine democratic principles when he captained in the third game, seeking to involve every player. It was a delight to see him capture three wickets when his chosen bowling candidates did not expedite the batsmens disappearance.

- Squadron Leader  Jenvey  fielded with his usual excessvie energy and enthusiasm. However this reluctant bowler also displayed threatening pacy abilities with a high reaching arm movement and a  flicking wrist off an unusually   short  run-up of one step.  A caught and bowled was  the   stuff of champions.    And his batting in the last match was of thunderous proportions.  Crashing hammer blows thru mid-on to mid-off  were  unstoppable. On reflection, he probably deserves promotion to Group Captain.

- The laconic Andrew Blyth largely hid his brilliance  – although choosing not to hide his body -until the last day.  While  he contributed with some fine bowling, nothing had been seen of his batting.  He joined Ponny, in the garb of Bill Woodfull.   Masterly batting, commencing with a cracking square cut, set the foundation for an ACS win.

- Bobby Hoskins was a devilish bowler with a vicious cutback . If I had seen the old master S F Barnes play, I would probably say Bobby was his re-incarnation.

- The Chain Saw kept his light under a bushel for much of the carnival. Little bowling opportunities emerged, and a fearful blow on his hand, meant we did not see him as his  usual ebullient self, at least on the field. However he batted and fought thru the pain barrier to ensure ACS secured a  last match win.

- Nev Brown was the constant  all- round quiet achiever.  Batting,  bowling, wicket-keeping, fielding and, finally winning captaincy, were undertaken in an undemonstrative manner. He fought illness to help ACS win its last game.  And he left behind a number of broken hearts in Tas.

- Graham Crowl  and Dick Parker kept low profiles but were earnest  contributors  in our teams efforts. Dicks bowling kept the opposition under pressure. His opening over in the  last  game, with five slips, portended of decimation – but alas, not to be.

It was a very enjoyable time. Master cheffing of breakfast in the VOSCA suite by the Air Vice  Marshal(truly, deserves a  further promotion for his culinary skills) was amazing.  Visits to Gunners Hotel, singing by Johnny Hammer (Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling), and Carl Duncanisms all adding to a marvellous time

Tags: Australian Cicket Society, cricket oddities, cricket tragic, John Hammer, Over Sixties Cricket, State cricket debut