The National Over 70s Cricket Carnival in 2022 had three divisions with 26 teams from all parts of Australia plus New Zealand. Seven teams were from Victoria.
In the first division there were two teams from Victoria (blue and white). The Victorian White team was in Pool One with Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.The Victorian Blue team was in Pool Two with New Zealand, ACT and New South Wales. On the fourth day the top team from each pool was to play each other to determine first and second place, the next two teams to play each other to determine third and fourth place etc. There were similar arrangements in the two other divisions.
On Thursday morning John Costello drove Robin, Ron and me to the NTCA ground for the first game of the carnival against Queensland. The sunny morning turned into a cloudy afternoon. Queensland won the toss and put Victoria in to bat on a sticky wicket. Victoria made 109 runs. Queensland then batted and won the game by one run in the final over. A very tight game. Robin and the other Victorian bowlers bowled really well. Robin opened the bowling and bowled six overs for 15 runs.
The second game was at Windsor Park at Riverside. It was an idesal setting with views of the river and nearby hills. The facilities for cricket and other sports were excellent.
Photo of members of the the Victorian White team before the game.
back row: John Thomas, John Costello, Greg Lott, Jim Geltch, Ian Gibson, Ian pritchard, Neil King.
front row: Carl Muscat, Ian Rowland, Phil Mayne, Arthur Pritchard, Ron Lovel, Robin Court.
This game was against South Australia who batted first making 108 runs. The Victorian team once again bowled well. Robin opened the bowling again and bowled eight overs taking two wickts (LBW) for 24 runs. He was also involved in a run-out. Victoria passed the South Australian score with six overs to spare. It was another good game.
As it was Remembrance Day play stopped just before 11 o'clock so the players and officials could pause for a minutes silence. The game then continued.
In the afternoon I went for a walk. Behind the cricket ground were large clumps of reeds inhabited by Tasmanian native-hens. On the other side of the Tamar River was a view of the mountains, green country side plus some houses.
The Saturday and Sunday were rest days with Day Three of cricket due to be played on the Monday. We drove to Westbury, west of Launceston, for the game against Western Australia.
The covers remained on the ground. At 11 o'clock the game was abandoned.
A feature of the ground at Westerbury is the set of large stumps on the side of the ground.
The finals in the First Division were moved to Invermay Park. A familiar sight greeted us on arrival. The game was due to begin at 10 o'clock but the start was postponed until 12 noon. The weather was extremely cold with a southerly wind. There was snow on the mountains between Hobart and Launceston.
The final was between Queensland and Victoria (blue). Victoria batted first scoring 8 for133 runs. Queensland won the game in the second last over with a score of 9 for 134. It was another close game. Victorian teams won the Second and Third Division finals.
Ricky Ponting started his cricket career playing for Mowbray Cricket Club at Invermay Park. He won the club batting averages in the 1993-1994 season.
Among the memorabilia in the clubroom is a cricket top once worn by Ricky Ponting.
I went for a walk on the path near the North Esk River. On the other side of the river, cattle grazed in green paddocks.
Another view from the path near Invermay Park.
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