Cricket Australia Masters Over 70s

05/03/2026

05/03/2026

Very proud of this group of players, support crew and partners who participated in the second Over 70s World Cup, falling 15 runs short in the final against England, at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

05/03/2026

Disappointingly, Australia fell agonisingly short once again, with England winning its second World Cup. Chasing 288, Australia finished on 5 for 273 at the conclusion of its 45 overs.
For Australia, Doug Trigg scored a bright 18 off 20 balls before falling LBW to Jim Phillips. A key wicket for England was when Ray Smith was caught and bowled by Phillips for 26 off 34 balls, followed shortly afterward by Murray Harrison, when he was bowled by Marcus Young for 4. Ian Davis joined Leigh Hardham at the crease and Hardham, inconvenienced by an injury, was eventually run out for a fine 67 off 91 balls. Davis was caught behind for 22 off 24 balls, and Australia had fallen to 5 for 156.
Gary Budden and Greg Stagg produced an unbroken sixth wicket partnership of 117 to keep Australia in the game. However, too many runs were required and Budden finished with a fighting knock of 68 not out off 54 balls, and Stagg contributed an enterprising 46 off 40 balls when the overs ran out.
The cup has been presented to England captain, John Evans. Australian Captain, Doug Trigg, acknowledged the effort of the team over the Silver Ashes and World Cup competitions, and thanked organisers and supporters.

05/03/2026

England has batted strongly to finish with 3 for 288 off its 45 overs.
The Australian bowlers struggled to contain the England batsmen. The openers, Jim Phillips (118 off 126 balls) and Chris Evans (79 off 76 balls) had an outstanding partnership of 183 before Evans was caught by Doug Trigg off Wasa Hettiarachchi in the 31st over. This was the highest opening partnership for England in Over 70s cricket.
Phillips fell shortly after, caught by Garry Budden off Mike Riley in the deep, with the score on 215. Neil Calvert contributed 46 off 40 balls before falling LBW to Don Skinner, and Marcus Young 29 not out off 24 balls and John Evans 4 not out off 4 balls, completed the innings.
The Australian bowlers battled hard on a perfect batting wicket. Opening bowler Rex Bennett took 0 for 50 off 9, while Don Skinner and Mike Riley took 1 for 47 and 1 for46 respectively off their 9 overs. Wasa Hettiarachchi finished with 1 for 47 off 7 overs, with Murray Harrison, Greg Stagg and Ian Davis bowling overs in the middle of the innings.
Australia has exceeded 300 runs in each of its last 2 innings, giving the team confidence in its ability to overtake the England total.

04/03/2026

The Australian change rooms at Hagley Oval for the final of the World Cup 2026.

04/03/2026

Here is the link to today’s live scoring of the final:

https://live.nvplay.com/nz?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQKNjYyODU2ODM3OQABHr6wAEWYQqntIqUDR5M7LsNsx5rMmRlgbyKToMp2FAzphTqhYgdPjLY8RQxM_aem_RuB07PEpASoEsKD_ajt7Dg

Live scores, live streams and video highlights | powered by NV Play

04/03/2026

All is in readiness for today’s World Cup final at Hagley Oval in Christchurch against England.
Australia has won the toss and will bowl.
Australia’s team is:
Doug Trigg(c)
Gary Budden
Chris Carr
Ian Davis
Leigh Hardham
Murray Harrison
Wasa Hettiarachchi
Mike Riley
Don Skinner
Ray Smith
Greg Stagg.
World Cup organisers have continued to provide superb service and facilities, paying attention to every detail. An example is the change rooms, which have individual lockers and names for all players of both squads.
Hagley Oval is New Zealand’s premier cricket facility. The wicket is superb, as is the outfield. The facilities for players and spectators are perfect, as is the weather, ensuring a great day’s cricket.
Stirling Hamman, Chairman of International Masters Cricket, has rung the bell to commence play.

04/03/2026

Australia has completed an undefeated record in the preliminary rounds of the 2026 World Cup with a convincing win over Sri Lanka at Mandeville 2 today.
Replying to Australia’s score of 5 for 309, Sri Lanka has ended with 3 for 113 off its 40 overs.
The Australian bowling was unable to pe*****te the stoic batting of Sri Lankan opener, Tony Goonewardena, who compiled 70 not out off 124 deliveries.
Australian bowlers to take wickets were Mike Riley (1 for 13 off 8 overs), Wasa Hettiarachchi (1 for 18 off 8 overs) and Murray Harrison (1 for 16 off 4 overs). Harrison completed a good day’s work by taking a catch in the outfield.
Australia’s Player of the Match was Glenn Richardson for his 83 off 94 balls.
We look forward to tomorrow’s final at Hagley Oval, starting at 10am, against old rival, England, and our chance to reverse the result of the first World Cup in England in 2024.

04/03/2026

Australia has scored an imposing 5 for 309 in its 40 overs against Sri Lanka at Mandeville 2.
Openers Roger Boyd and Glenn Richardson enjoyed an opening partnership of 123 before Boyd was bowled for 55 off 55 deliveries. Asoka Wijeratne followed soon after, LBW for 1, and Richardson continued to bat solidly until he was dismissed for 83 off 94 balls.
The second half of the innings was dominated by rapid scoring from Gary Budden (64 off 42 balls), Ian Davis (38 not out off 22 balls), and Murray Harrison (37 not out off 22 balls). There were 27 extras, including 21 wides. For Sri Lanka, Indran Thavendra was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 36 off 8 overs.

04/03/2026

The start of play in our last round-robin match against Sri Lanka was delayed by a further hour due to a damp wicket and ground surface. The playing conditions changed quickly as the wind came up, drying out the ground. Australia lost the toss and were sent in following the completion of formalities and National Anthems.
Our team for today is:
Leigh Hardham (c)
Roger Boyd
Gary Budden
Chris Carr
Ian Davis
Murray Harrison
Rob Henry
Wasa Hettiarachchi
Glenn Richardson
Mike Riley
Ian Southall
Asoka Wijeratne
13th Greg Stagg
Roger Boyd and Glenn Richardson have opened the batting, with the score on 0 for 87 off 14 overs at drinks, with Richardson 41 not out and Boyd 37 not out.
England is playing Rest of the World on the neighbouring Mandeville number 1 oval.
Both matches are being live scored and live streamed.

03/03/2026

Tonight we celebrated captain Doug Trigg’s birthday, which was yesterday, and vice captain Leigh Hardham’s birthday, which is today.