The Australian Over-70s
They breed them tough in Australia
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
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They breed them tough in Australia. The Age report on Jim Murphy, a 73-year-old still playing competitive cricket. Further still, he is the baby of his side: the Australian Over-70s.
The Australian Over 70s had an average age of 73 years 213 days, and the days mattered. The oldest was 83, the next oldest 79. The latter was Brendan Lyons, son of former prime minister Joe Lyons. All, mindful of ring-ins, had birth certificates with them.
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Murphy says the match was not competitive, but it was rugged, as only cricket in Australia can be. One senator — Murphy chose to forget his name — refused to walk when obviously out. Another reacted huffily when given out leg before wicket.
"He was acting more like a Roman senator than an Australian senator," Murphy says.
Over-70s cricket grew out of over-60s cricket and began with a single match in Melbourne four years ago, featuring one 81-year-old and the only registered over-60 woman player in Australia.
Now teams from Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and South Australia play an annual carnival, New Zealand is about to join and dates have been fixed for Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
Will Luke is assistant editor of ESPNcricinfo