England’s over 60s beat Australia at Chipping Campden to retain the Grey Ashes

ENGLAND have retained the Ashes … and they did it at Chipping Campden Cricket Club.

OK, so a series win over Australia for the Grey Ashes might be scant consolation for followers of Ben Stokes’ side but there was no shortage of support for England’s Over 60s as they beat their Aussie counterparts by 49 runs in the fourth of five 45 over one day internationals.

Leading 2-1 before heading to the Cotswolds, skipper knew that victory would keep the urn on home soil after England had won Down Under before the Covid pandemic put the rivalry on hold.

Skipper Richard Merriman explained that the competition was just as keen among the more senior internationals.

He said: “The Grey Ashes have been in existence since 2011. We won the Grey Ashes down in Australia – it was great to beat them on their own patch – and 2023 gave us the opportunity to resurrect the series.

“We went 1-0 down but went to Burton-on-Trent, my old club, and came home comfortably with an over and a half to spare. We then emphatically beat them at Southport by nine wickets where we chased down 259.

“The final game will be down in Littlehampton and the Aussies have never won the Grey Ashes so, as captain, there is no way I want that to change.

“This is serious business. When you have the Australian opening bowler getting up to 70mph and people taking some diving catches then you can see how serious this is. It is proper cricket. For us to still be able to play proper cricket at our age means we are lucky health-wise but also need to keep fit and focussed. Many of us had dreams of pulling on the Three Lions when we were younger, and we have had to wait until we were 60 to do it but we still have the same passion.

“Every one of the games has been hosted fantastically and Chipping Campden has gone to the nth degree and that extra mile. There have been 400 or 500 at each of the games and yet four years ago there would have ben 40 or 50. This year we’ve had Sky Sports taking an interest and its great to see. Seniors cricket, alongside ladies’ cricket, is the fastest growing area in the sport and these guys live for the game and are passionate about it.”

Having been put into bat, England made a great start with skipper Merriman and Nick Gaywood putting on 112 for the first wicket before the captain went for 64.

Gaywood went on to make 46 and there were hal-centuries for Tony Birbeck (52) and Mel Hussain (67) as the hosts reached 289/7 from their 45 overs.

The Australian response was steady but always behind the run-rate required and they had no answer to the bowling of spinner Marcus Young who scythed through the order on his way to 5-38 off 6.4 overs. There were also wickets for Nick Newman, Rupert Staple and Jim Phillips as the Aussies were dismissed for 240 in the 43rd over.

Australian batsman Glenn Richardson praised the welcome and support given to the touring side who are playing 15 games in 29 days including matches against Scotland, Wales and England A.

He said: “People have been so wonderful at every club we’ve been to. At times the weather has not been too kind but clubs have bent over backwards to get us on the ground and the get the wickets ready. The way we have been looked after has been magnificent.”

And he added that the seniors still took their cricket seriously.

“There are some very good cricketers out there, its not just fumbly old men on frames. This is a pretty good level. There’s plenty of good banter and the teams get on well both on and off the field. The games are played in earnest but always with the spirit of cricket in mind.”

Ian Harrison, committee member at Chipping Campden Cricket Club, said: “This is a marvellous occasion for the club. I would say that it is quite easily the biggest game we have ever hosted here. We had a good game when we opened the pavilion last year against the MCC but we’ve easily got twice the amount of spectators here today.

“Logistically there have been many hours of work put in by too many volunteers to mention including people from outside the club including caterers and neighbouring farmers. We’ve done our best to make it a special event for the Aussies.”

Buy a copy of this week’s Herald for more pictures from the Grey Ashes clash at Chipping Campden