Some background to Tasmania’s National Representatives from 2011 through to 2017.
(Courtesy Mike Gandy, VCTas Historian)
Twelve Tasmanians have had the honour to represent Australia in different test teams since 2011 so the opportunity to play to the highest level available to us is certainly there. There is also the opportunity to go on more social tours organised by some entrepreneurial veterans' cricket types to visit USA, Ireland, Scotland, Central and South America, the West Indies and even Iceland in recent years.
Australian teams have been selected with the O60s being the first in 2010. The O70s and the O50s have followed suit and an inaugural O50s “World Cup” was held in Sydney late 2018 where 8 countries were represented.
Tours to and from the UK where we play England are regularly scheduled and other tours include NZ and South Africa. England is very organised having a county pathway for players right through to and beyond 50+.
Overseas tours to New Zealand, South Africa and the UK were undertaken for the Over 60s, and Over 70s joined the international parade through 2016.
2016 National Over 60s ODI Team
L to R: Colin Cooke (vc Qld), Murray Harrison (ACT), Trevor Selby (Vic), Rex Bennett (Vic), Greg Stagg (SA), Dave Russell (Qld), Mark Gaskell (Qld), Phil Drescher (Qld), Jim Martin (ACT), Kevin Lanigan (Vic) and Greg Quinn (SA). Absent is Graham Yallop (capt Vic)
No Tasmanians were selected in this team to play an ODI Test against the touring English Over 60s in Canberra on 27 November 2016.
Two new teams were selected to play ODIs against England in Melbourne on 4 December and Adelaide on 15 December 2016.
An Invitation Tasmanian XI played England in Melbourne on 2 December, 2016 included John Bailey, Ian Fraser, Trevor Stephens, Rod Headlam, Apps Jordan, Mike Walsh, Glenn Richardson and Roger Edmunds. Kel Anderson withdrew due to injury.
New Zealand Over 60s versus Australia Over 60s line up before a One Day International in Auckland in March 2019
It’s only in the last couple of years that we have become competitive, winning “The Grey Ashes” for the first time in 2015.
Selection for National Representatives is based on performances at National Championships and with players being able to afford to go in terms of time and money as there is zero subsidy for either team or individuals from Cricket Australia.
Tasmania’s Australian Representatives
Over 60s (in order of Test Cap Numbers)
8. Ian Fraser (RHB, RHM) 7 Tests
v England and Wales in England 2011
v England in Australia 2011 (Vice Captain in Geelong)9. Mike Gandy (RHB, RHO) 3 Tests
v England & Wales in England 2011
v England in Australia 201110. Ken Last (LHB, RHM) 3 tests
v England & Wales in England 201128. Trevor Stephens (RHB, RHM) 1 test
v England in Australia 201131. Roger Edmunds (LHB, LHM) 2 tests
v England in Australia 201134. Rod Headlam (LHB) 2 tests
v England in Australia 201139. Geoff Anyon (RHB) 1 test
v England in Australia 201177. Glenn Richardson (RHB, RHM) 4 or 5 Tests
v England in Australia 2016
v England, Scotland & Wales in England 2017
Over 70s (in order of Test Cap Numbers)
2. Bob Cotgrove (RHB, RH Slow) 6 Tests
v England (prior to 2011)
v England in Australia 2011 (Vice Capt in Victoria)
v England in England 2013
v England in Australia 20155. Graeme Crole (LHB, RH Slow) 5 Tests
v England in Australia 2011
v England in England 201325. Bruce Wish-Wilson (LHB, RHM) 3 Tests
v England in England 201346. Ken Last(LHB, RHM) 3 tests
v England & Wales in England 201650. Trevor Stephens(RHB, RHM) 8 tests
v England & Wales in England 2016
v England in Australia 201854. Roger Edmunds (LHB, LHM) 5 tests
v England in Australia, 2018