Australia Over 50s World Cup team v Oppenheimer’s XI in March 2020
Veterans Cricket Australia | April 29, 2023
On the 7th March 2020 Australia’s Over 50 World Cup squad played a warm up game against Oppenheimer’s XI at his ground in Johannesburg prior to the Over 50s World Cup
Here’s the Australian squad
Back row - Michael Van Zuyden ( Manager),Warwick Hayes ( Coach),Tim Sargent (SA),Andrew Bethune (Vic), Alex Jesensek (Vic),Gavin Brown(Qld),Nick Bole-Brown(Vic), Matt Lewis (NSW),Bill Brown ( Vic) Steve Gollan (WA)
Front row - Gary Eisenmenger (QLD), Darren Smith (NSW), Todd O’Keefe (NSW), Peter Solway (ACT. - Captain), Richard Saniga (Vic), Joe Santostefano (WA) Phil Melville (NSW), Tony Clark (NSW).
Match Report by Phillip Melville
In preparation to defend their Over 50s World Cup title the Australian Over50s team played a warm up game against the Nicky Oppenheimer XI at the Oppenheimer Estate Ground in Johannesburg South Africa.
After being sent in to bat in a 110 over declaration game the Aussies were bowled out for 184 in the 53rd over. Many of the Aussies made starts with five batsmen being dismissed in the twenties.
Captain Peter Solway was the pick of the bunch making 26 but he would have been bitterly disappointed being dismissed caught down leg side in the last over before lunch.
Queensland opener Gavin Brown made 22 as did Joe Santostefano and Alex Jesensek. Tailender Steve Gollan made a handy 21 batting at No.10 to salvage something for the Australians and give all their bowlers an opportunity to get some over in before the World Cup begins.
The Australians got off to a less than ideal start with the ball with John Oppenheimer teeing off from the outset making 33 out of a 36 opening partnership. His innings was cut short in the 8th over when he went for one too many and skied a catch to Peter Solway at slip off the bowling of Phil Melville.
In his next over Melville picked up the wicket of the Oppenheimer’s Number 3 batsman Lyons to help slow down the South African teams scoring rate. Tony Sargent was introduced to the attack and came with almost immediate success bowling Klopper for 6 to have the hosts 3 for 51.
However Wilson and Dugmore steadied the ship with a 57 run partnership featuring some beautiful off and cover drives as well as lofted shots over the beautifully manicured outfield.
West Australian Steve Gollan was introduced to the attack and his wily off spinners put the brakes on the host’s momentum with a wicket in his second over. His figures of 2 for 31 off 9 overs along with Darren Smith 2 for 23 off 5 overs provided a good hit out for the Aussies.
All in all the Oppenheimer XI were too good on the day but the hit-out for the Aussies was invaluable in South African conditions and they were treated like Kings with First Class hospitality - a day they won't forget despite the result.
Scores
Australia 184 (Peter Solway 26, Bill Brown 22, Joe Santostefano 22, Alex Jesensek 22 S.Hockley 3/37 (11) lost to Oppenheimer XI 8/189 (J.Wilson 61, W. Dugmore 46, D.Smith 2/23, P.Melville 2/25, S.Gollan 2/31) by 2 wickets.
