World Cup and county calls keep cricket veterans on the ball

CRICKET veterans Mark Wilson and Steve Foster are heading to Australia to play for England in the very first Over-50s World Cup.

It's an opportunity of a lifetime for the well known pair, who are used to performing in less glamorous surroundings in and around South Yorkshire.

Wath player Mark has toured with England before while Treeton ace Steve is a relative newcomer, having only turned 50 this year.

The tournament is being held between November 17-December 9 and involves eight countries.

“It's three weeks in Sydney, nine games in a 14-day period, a lot of cricket,” said Steve.

“I have been humming and harring about continuing playing for a long time but this helps me carry on. I went to New Zealand as a lad but I've never been to Australia.

“I always wanted to go and this is the opportunity.

“I still enjoy cricket and this call-up is dangling a carrot. We're both really looking forward to it.”

Mark and Steve teamed up with another local player, Dave Burden, to help Yorkshire Over-50s become the Inter-Counties champions recently.

After putting out Cornwall and Essex on the way to the final, they beat old foes Lancashire at Kibworth CC in Leicestershire to lift the trophy. Steve hit 66 not out and collected three wickets and was named man of the match as Yorkshire made 228 and then got Lancashire all out for 103.

It was the perfect lead-in to the big one Down Under.

Added Mark: “Last year I went to South Africa with England and the year before to Sri Lanka but this is the big one. There are eight countries taking part and we have been selected to play rather than putting ourselves forward.

“With it being eight countries taking part, it is being classed as a World Cup.

“Our trip is self-funded but you can't pass the chance up and I believe we can do well in Australia.

“Life begins at 50, as they say.”