Veterans cricketers battle in Echuca carnival

By Matthew Kappos

Mar 19, 2024

The Veterans Cricket Victoria Echuca Carnival has returned to the region for its 11th edition.

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Twenty-eight over 60s cricket sides have flocked to the region from across Victoria, as well as the ACT and South Australia, to compete in one of four divisions.

Games in the tournament take place all over Campaspe Shire and surrounds including Echuca Moama, Kyabram, Rochester, Lockington-Bamawm, Leitchville-Gunbower and Girgarre.

Games are 40 overs and feature bowler restrictions and retirement conditions for batsmen.

Winding up: Sundbury Macedon opening bowler Dale Thornton prepares to charge in. Photo by Matthew Kappos

“It's more or less to give everyone the opportunity to be involved in the game,” said Bill Morison, secretary of the Sunbury Macedon Rangers, who are playing in division one.

“At this age we don’t play for points it’s more for the activity, sportsmanship, and spirit of the game, that kind of stuff, so it's great, it's really good.

“And of course (it’s for) men's health and a bit of fitness for the older generation.”

Beaten: Neil Pitt plays and misses, the ball finishing in the hands of wicket keeper Russell Machett. Photo by Matthew Kappos

Teams are divided into groups of four and play three round robin games, starting from Sunday, March 17, continuing on Monday and finishing on Wednesday with Tuesday serving as a rest day.

The teams will then be sorted based on finishing position and conclude the tournament with a final against an equivalent team from the other group in their division on Thursday.

Tricky: Brett Beattie’s left arm orthodox bowling had the batsmen playing cautiously. Photo by Matthew Kappos

“We won our game yesterday, we played out at Lockington-Bamawm on a great wicket out there against the ACT,” Morison said on Monday during his side’s game against Essendon at Moama Recreation Reserve.

“So we had a good win and hopefully another win today.”

Avenue of attack: Archie Dudderidge plans his next delivery. Photo by Matthew Kappos

Sunbury Macedon went on to take the game by three runs.

The Echuca carnival is a highlight of the Veterans cricket calendar, with most participating sides, including Sunbury Macedon generally travelling the state for weekly Sunday competitions.

“There's a bit of travel involved but a lot of the players are retired so they've got the time on their hands, and they still love the game of cricket,” said Morison.