NZ over-50s squad named for World Cup

A 16-man squad has been named for the New Zealand over-50s cricket side (the “Greycaps”) to compete in the inaugural Over-50s World Cup later this year. The tournament will be held in Sydney from November 21 to December 5 and will feature eight national teams from around the world.

The Greycaps will be playing their first matches together since they first assembled in Nelson in February for a three-match series against the touring Australian over-50s side. The series was affected by Cyclone Gita, with one match rained out, but the two sides each won one of the remaining games in two closely fought contests.

Among the players to watch in the World Cup squad are former Central Districts and Auckland fast bowler Dean Askew. Askew will be teaming up with his old Central Districts opening bowling partner and current Nelson Cricket CEO David Leonard, while other pace options include two former Wellington players in Richard Petrie (who also played 12 ODIs for New Zealand) and Lincoln Doull.

Petrie starred in New Zealand’s win in Nelson, taking 3/16 off 10 overs and scoring 27 in a low-scoring match. Another key player will be former English county pro and current NZC GM of Community Cricket Adrian Dale, who has over 12,500 first-class runs and over 200 first-class wickets to his name

The spin bowlers will be led by former Canterbury bowler Andrew Nuttall, who took seven wickets in the two Nelson games, troubling the Australian batsmen with bounce on otherwise low and slow pitches. He will be ably supported by Wanganui’s Martin Pennefather and Canterbury’s Hamish Kember. 

One of the stars of the February series was Nelson wicketkeeper-batsman Mason Robinson, who scored a defiant 59 in the first match and effected several exceptional stumpings over the two matches. Robinson will share the ‘keeping duties with Robbie Kerr, who represented Wellington in the 1990s and has played for numerous NZ indoor cricket sides. There is a strong family connection in the squad: Kerr’s daughter Amelia plays for the New Zealand women’s cricket team, while top-order batsman Mike Jamieson and Nuttall are the fathers of Canterbury bowlers Kyle Jamieson and Ed Nuttall, respectively.

The side will be captained by Nigel Fletcher, who plays his cricket in Auckland and also led the side in Nelson.

The World Cup schedule is quite demanding, with nine 45-over games in 15 days. The matches will be played on some of the top Sydney first-grade grounds. New Zealand’s first game is on November 21 against South Africa, and the Grand Final is scheduled for December 5.

Scores and updates will be posted regularly on the side’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nz050s) and on the tournament page (www.facebook.com/o50scricketworldcup).

The New Zealand over-50s squad:
Nigel Fletcher (Auckland) (captain)
Dean Askew (Auckland)
Adrian Dale (Auckland)
Lincoln Doull (Hawkes Bay)
Peter Escott (Auckland)
Brent Fleming (Canterbury)
David Fulton (Manawatu)
Craig Gibb (Canterbury)
Mike Jamieson (Auckland)
Hamish Kember (Canterbury)
Robbie Kerr (Wellington)
David Leonard (Nelson)
Andrew Nuttall (Canterbury)
Martin Pennefather (Wanganui)
Richard Petrie (Wellington)
Mason Robinson (Nelson)

Manager: Jim Morrison