Local cricketing golden oldies excelled in a match against a touring Australian team in Durban.
Braam Cronjé, Peter Johnson, Jannie Potgieter and former Dundonian Manie Brockman were all part of a combined team which competed in the 35-over game.
Braam told the Courier that he and several other ‘old local cricketers’ play for a golden oldies team called the Cane Rats, who are based on the North Coast.
“An opportunity arose for the Cane Rats to combine with another team, the Hilton Crickets, to make up a team to take on the touring Aussies.”
The Australians, who are all over 60 (their oldest player was 78!), take their cricket seriously, and the Durban game was one of 14 they were scheduled to play in the country.
The visitors made 140 in their 35 overs, with Braam taking two wickets. The South African oldies made the score in the last over with Peter Johnson leading the charge.
“It was great to play against the touring Australians. I can even say I took my first two international wickets too,” joked Braam.
What made the victory even more sweet is that this was the first time the Cane Rats and Hilton Cricketers had played together; the players only met each other half an hour before the game!
The Cane Rats are off to the Kruger Park on March 18, where they will play against a Lowveld team made up of game rangers. Watch this space…