A baggy green cap for Dell

TEN matches,17 days and 45 over games – that is what seasoned cricketer Peter Dell from Wonthaggi will face when he heads to the United Kingdom and Ireland next month as part of the Australian Over 50s Cricket team.

It’s an exciting feat for the cricketer who also played in the Victorian side earlier this year and coaches OMK’s A grade and B1/B2 grade teams.

An opening bowler, Dell has been a force to reckon with.

During the recent Over 50s National Championship, he played a pivotal role in taking Victoria’s Division 1 side to the finals. His lethal bowling performance made him the leading wicket-taker for Victoria, finishing fifth overall. With eight wickets at an impressive average of 14.25, Dell’s contributions were crucial in Victoria’s campaign.

The first of 10 international matches will take the self-funded team to Dublin for the first ever ODI clash against Ireland, before heading to Swansea in Wales for an International and then to the South of England.

“I’m excited but also a little anxious,” Dell explained. 

“You’re playing for Australia; you want to perform.”

Peter will join three of his fellow Victorian team peers in Ireland, with the remainder of the team made up of NSW and Queensland players and a Tasmanian.

“We’ve had numerous zoom meetings already, but it will be good to meet everyone face-to-face; some I faced in the Championship.”

The Battle of the Ashes will see Australia face off against the reigning World Champions, England in two thrilling ODI Ashes games at Waltham Abbey. Amidst the Ashes fever Australia will engage in two county games against Essex and Sussex for the Grand Finale – the Marlborough Cup. 

The Marlborough Cup will showcase a riveting tournament between England, Wales, India and Australia – putting players to the ultimate test of skill and strategy.

That skill and strategy will all come down to how the team gels and individual training in the lead up, which Dell started three weeks ago, noting he hasn’t had an off-season yet.

“It’s hard on the body. I’ve been playing mid-year cricket every second week in the south east suburbs and training on Wednesday nights at Croydon.”
Off the field, Dell maintains peak condition by combining running and stretching. His love for golf also keeping him in shape.
The announcement of his selection in the Australian team was well received not just by his family, but also by CFA Bass Coast Group, of which Dell is an officer, and the South Gippsland Kookaburra’s Over 50s.
And while each cricketer self-funds the entire experience, from flights to uniform, they will each be presented with an 
Australian blazer and baggy green cap – a highlight for Dell.
During the tour, Australian cricketers will use a Dukes ball, which reacts quite differently from the familiar Kookaburra.
Dell explains, “Firstly, it’s pink – making it a lot easier to spot. However, it’s also more challenging – it’s a lot harder, the seams are flatter, and it’s harder to swing. The upside is that it performs better off the bat.’”
Specialising as an opening bowler, chances are Dell will be called upon to bat, and when he does, he plans to smash the ball. 

“The captain wants me batting down the order, but when I get to bat, he wants me to hit the ball hard – the way he saw me perform during the championships.”

While Ireland poses a tough challenge and will be a hard side to beat in the opening game, the UK and Ireland Tour provides Dell and his fellow Australian cricketers with an opportunity to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Sri Lanka.