Mike Swain [left] and Ian Watson pictured with KB, the England 70s tour mascot
Kit packed, Hampshire Seniors cricketers Mike Swain and Ian Watson are leaving the bitter cold weather behind and headed to Australia for the next month to play for the England’s Over-70s in a veteran ‘Ashes’ Series.
England’s Golden Oldies won the last ‘home’ series in 2016, with former Gosport left-hander Swain playing a lead role in the victory.
But he reckons the money will be on Australia to regain the ‘Ashes’ on home soil.
He pointed out: “It’s going to be a long and demanding ten-match tour in potentially sweltering hot conditions.
“I gather we may have only 15 players, all of whom are liable to pick up an injury or two.
“We’ve got matches in four different states, so there’s a lot of travelling involved, in addition to the cricket.
“But no one’s complaining. To still be playing cricket at 70-plus and representing your country in the process in a real bonus and a fitting climax to any player’s career. Australia is a wonderful place to go.”
The England tour begins with two matches against Western Australian veteran sides in Perth before switching to Adelaide, where the second of three matches is the first of five One Day Internationals, which will form the ‘Ashes’ Series.
The other ODIs are in Geelong and in Queensland, where the England Vets will spend the last ten days of their trip.
Opening batsman Watson, who led Deanery to five Southern League championships during his peak playing days, is battling a thumb injury to be fit for the opening tour match in Perth.
“I was struck a painful blow in the Hursley Park nets a weeks or so ago. The thumb is not broken, but is still pretty bruised and painful,” he said.
Swain and Watson will be joined on the Australia trip by Chichester Priory Park’s Andy Barnes, who is vice-captain of the England 70s team.
England’s Golden Oldies won the last ‘home’ series in 2016, with former Gosport left-hander Swain playing a lead role in the victory.
But he reckons the money will be on Australia to regain the ‘Ashes’ on home soil.
He pointed out: “It’s going to be a long and demanding ten-match tour in potentially sweltering hot conditions.
“I gather we may have only 15 players, all of whom are liable to pick up an injury or two.
“We’ve got matches in four different states, so there’s a lot of travelling involved, in addition to the cricket.
“But no one’s complaining. To still be playing cricket at 70-plus and representing your country in the process in a real bonus and a fitting climax to any player’s career. Australia is a wonderful place to go.”
The England tour begins with two matches against Western Australian veteran sides in Perth before switching to Adelaide, where the second of three matches is the first of five One Day Internationals, which will form the ‘Ashes’ Series.
The other ODIs are in Geelong and in Queensland, where the England Vets will spend the last ten days of their trip.
Opening batsman Watson, who led Deanery to five Southern League championships during his peak playing days, is battling a thumb injury to be fit for the opening tour match in Perth.
“I was struck a painful blow in the Hursley Park nets a weeks or so ago. The thumb is not broken, but is still pretty bruised and painful,” he said.
Swain and Watson will be joined on the Australia trip by Chichester Priory Park’s Andy Barnes, who is vice-captain of the England 70s team.
