Barossa Valley - Cricket

Each year in March a veterans cricket carnival is held in the Barossa Valley with eight teams taking part. This year Arthur Pritchard organised a team - the SilverAshes3Nil - to take part in the carnival.

In March 2018 the England over 70s team toured Australia. They played games in a number of states and were also to play five ODIs against the Australian team. Australia won the ODI played in South Australia and in Geelong. The next two ODIs were to be played on the Sunshine Coast but rain intervened. The final ODI played in Brisbane was won by the Australian team. Australia therefore won the Silver Ashes 3 Nil.

Invitations were made to members of that Australian team to play in the Barossa Valley carnival as a seven year reunion. Robin had been a stand-by player for 2018 team so was also invited to play. Later in 2018 Robin was in the Australian team that toured England along with a number of members of the team that played in Australia earlier in the year. As the 2025 carnival approached a number of players had to withdraw due to health issues so the final team included a number of extra players from South Australia who kindly boosted our numbers.

Members of the team playing in the Barossa Valley

Robin at Sandy Creek

Two games were played at Angaston on 17 March and 21 March.

The entrance to the Angaston Recreational Park where the cricket ground is located. One of the pillars is a memorial to soldiers who served during the Second World War.

Outside the entrance to the park were several colourful rose gardens.

It was a an attractive ground for playing cricket.

The Angas Pavilion was constructed with money donated by the Angas family in 1903.

 

Our first game was against the Mayor's Eleven who batted first and made 100 runs. The bowling of our team was excellent with Ron taking three wickets. Robin ended up bowling ten overs during the match - 0 wickets for 28 runs. Unfortunately our team could only make 98 runs in a very close game. Robin and Greg had a good last wicket stand until Robin was caught after scoring 22 runs.

Our fourth game was also at Angaston, this time against the Eastern Reds. Our team batted first, making 102 runs. Robin made six runs. The Eastern Reds won the game in the 34th over - 2 wickets for 103 runs. Robin bowled his six overs, 1 maiden, 0 for 15 runs.

Game two was at Curdatta Park, Sandy Creek, south of Tanunda. The game was against the ACT Galaxies. It was a pleasant sunny day with temperatures in the mid 20s.

The cricketers had an additional audience watching the game.

The cricket ground at Sandy Creek was another pretty ground with lots of ibis plus a heron or two sharing the ground.

Our team batted first and made 84 runs. ACT was 1 for 85 in the twenty-fifth over. Robin bowled 3 overs - 1 wicket for 7 runs.

Game three was to be played at Tanunda against the Australian Cricket Society, however rain during the morning prevented play.

The ground has new function rooms as well as older grandstand and rooms. The carnival dinner was held in the function rooms at Tanunda Cricket Ground.