By Carl Muscat
A WEEK of intense cricket on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, saw the Victorian Blue over 70s team win a National Title - the only Victorian team to become National Champions this year.
This Victorian squad had representative players from inner Melbourne clubs and also as far afield as Yarra Valley, St. Arnaud, Wonthaggi, Leongatha, Geelong area and Phillip Island.
The diversity of locations and distances between players' clubs and the fact that the Cricket season starting date was over two months away meant players were lacking important match practice and fitness. In Queensland, their season is played during Victoria’s Winter months. But irrespective of these perceived disadvantages, all quickly disappears when a team of dedicated players come together with a collective will to showcase skill and years of honed talent to achieve the ultimate goal of an Australian National Title.
From the first day this team met, they gelled together seamlessly, with everyone playing their role either with the bat or ball. The first three rounds are testament to their ability and experience, producing the following outstanding results:
Round 1. Vic. Blue 155 def. ACT 87
Round 2. Sth. Aust 57 def. by Vic. Blue 0-58
Round 3. Tasmania 9-87 def. by Vic. Blue 2-69 on Duckworth count back (rain affected).
The Grand Final was played against New Zealand, who amassed a total of 182 runs in 40 overs, thus throwing down the challenge. The Vic. Blue team had not been tested to this extent in the first three games, but such was the strength, skill and determination of the collective players, this score was passed with three overs to spare. Thus, deservedly securing a hard-fought win.
The opportunity of playing National Cricket for Victoria at the highest level amongst and against your peers is humbling as well as satisfying. Local Club level cricket develops bonding camaraderie, a sense of community unity and personal achievements and satisfaction. State selection and representation take all these features to another level.
The strength of over-70s Veterans Cricket in the South Gippsland area is strong and growing every year. This Victorian side initially had three representative players - Pieter Loos, Brian Mitchell from Wonthaggi and Carl Muscat from Phillip Island. A late inclusion because of player injury, saw Neil White, from Leongatha, enter this team. Interestingly, all have been competitively playing against one another for some 30 years.
Carl has been playing cricket on Phillip Island for about 40 years and has amassed a total of some 350 games of Cricket. He also combined over 60s Cricket (also playing for Victoria) whilst still playing local club games, and now only plays Over 70s competitively.
A snapshot of these players' statistics during the Nationals:
Neil White: batting av. 45 runs
Pieter Loos: av. 25.5 runs, 5 wickets @ 12.5 runs and 2 x Man of the Match awards.
Carl Muscat: Av: 28 runs.
To still be actively playing competitive sport and have the opportunity to represent your State are the driving factors behind maintaining an active, purposeful lifestyle. The pursuit to improve skills and maintain friendships means Carl’s sporting road has led him to many fulfilling destinations.
Overall, the week has provided a satisfying experience with Cricket emerging as the Winner!
