Kinross cricketer Stuart Crisp has been selected as part of the Australian squad for this month’s inaugural over 50s World Cup.
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Crisp is the first reserve for the team which will contest the tournament of one-day games in Sydney starting on November 21.
He was selected after his efforts as opening bowler and number five or six batsman for NSW in recent trials.
“There are eight teams from around the world who are coming and straight on after the World Cup final there are a couple of Ashes games against England, one dayers, so there will be plenty of cricket,” he said.
“There will be effectively 10 games in two and a half or three weeks.”
While he is a reserve he said he hoped he would get the opportunity to play for Australia and wear the famous baggy green cap.
“I would hope so, and there is still another three weeks before the tournament starts so every time you play as an over 50 you know something may break,” he said.
While Crisp will be playing with older players in that tournament he will play alongside teenagers in his role as a playing coach for Kinross’ first-grade side on Saturday in the first day of its Orange District Cricket Association two-day game against Centrals.
So on a Saturday I am the old bloke and on a Sunday I’m the young bloke.
- Stuart Crisp, cricketer
“So on a Saturday I am the old bloke and on a Sunday I’m the young bloke,” he said.
“There are some fairly elderly over 50s, there are people who are in the 60s and 70s who are still competent cricketers and obviously compared to them I am quite young, but yes I get a lot of stick [at Kinross] about being the old bloke.
“So long as I still score a few runs, take a catch or two, get a few wickets then the youngsters keep quiet.
“My role is to help the kids improve their cricket, I fit in wherever I’m needed.
“We’ve lost the first couple of games but we haven’t disgraced ourselves.
“I took an unbelievable catch at the weekend which the kids couldn’t believe.
“I just stuck my hand out and it stuck.”
Wearing a baggy green for Australia is also an aside for English-born Crisp who played in Lancashire until moving to Australia 14 years ago. He could be playing against England.
“That is deeply ironic and very entertaining to a lot of my friends,” he said.
“I’m very honoured, I’ve worked hard to keep fit, and I love cricket and this is just a great opportunity.
“It will only sink in when you are playing against a side that has a national badge and you have a baggy green on.
“We are playing on Sheffield Shield grounds, some beautiful grounds, no doubt batsman-friendly grounds.
“It will be serious cricket played in a very friendly kind of way.”
Saturday’s Kinross and Centrals clash at Riawena Oval will be between two teams searching for their first win of the season.
In the other game Cavaliers will play Orange City at Wade Park. Both sides have recorded one win.
Ladder leading CYMS will have the bye after beating both Kinross and Centrals in the opening rounds.
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