Cricket Australia Masters Over 70s

17/04/2026

I recently found the lyrics to a song which goes to the tune of “Come on Aussies, Come On”, penned by Rats (Michael Rattenbury) toward the end of the 2024 World Cup. So here it is:

COME ON 70s COME ON

Well it’s been a chilly winter
And they couldn’t get much fitter
But that’s the way it’s gotta be
Cause they are up against the best you know
This is 70s World Cup you know
And games are streamed for everyone to see

Bennett’s pounding down like a machine
Southy’s making divots in the green
Preston’s taking wickets
Buddo’s clearing pickets
And Lanigan’s eyes have got that killer gleam

Come on Aussie 70s come on come on
Come on Aussie 70s come on come on

Mr Riley’s playing havoc with the bats
Harrison - it’s good to see you back
Hardham’s scoring runs
And Selby’s chewing gum
And Drescher is wielding the willow like an axe

Come on 70s come on come on
Come on 70s come on come on

Davo’s smashing the kiwis just for fun
Robbie White’s eating Kit Kats one by one
Bulger’s slinging the ball in from mid-on
Willow and Lyon both keep talking
And Asoka nearly scored a ton

Come on 70s come on come on
Come on 70s come on come on.

27/03/2026

The statistics from the Over 70s World Cup show the following highlights for the Australian squad:
- In batting in "Most runs", Ray Smith was third with 278, Doug Trigg was eighth with 224 and Leigh Hardham tenth with 209
- Ray Smith led the "Best average" in the World Cup with 278.0, Doug Trigg was sixth with 74.67 and Glenn Richardson tenth with 60.50
- No Australians were in the top 10 "Highest scores", with the leading score being 136 not out by Canada's Farooq Kirmani
- Ian Davis was fourth in the "Best strike rate" with 116.13, Wasa Hettiarachchi fifth with 115.22, Gary Budden sixth with 114.50 and Ray Smith seventh with 111.20
- Ray Smith was fifth in "Most 4s" with 32
- Gary Budden was equal second in "Most 6s" with 4
- In the bowling, Don Skinner was fourth in "Most wickets" with 11, and Mike Riley was equal seventh with 9
- Rob Henry was third in the "Best economy rate" with 2.58, and sixth in the "Best dot ball percentage" with 75.85
- Don Skinner was eighth in "Best average" with 13.36
- In fielding, Doug Trigg and Wasa Hettiarachchi were equal first in "Most catches" with 4, and Leigh Harham was equal fourth with 3
- Gary Budden was equal first in "Most stumpings" with 4, and Chris Carr equal eighth with 1
- Gary Budden was equal fourth for "Most wicketkeeper catches" with 2, and Chris Carr equal eighth with 1.

Ian G

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.