Wales Over-50s cricketers finished as Bowl runners-up in a demanding World Cup competition in South Africa after playing nine matches in 14 days.
A play-off win over Australia was the highlight of their trip.
“I think it’s a credit to Welsh cricket that we can hold our own against the Test-playing nations at our age-group,” said chairman Mike Cann.
Iwan Rees became the first player anywhere to score more than 1,000 runs in over-50 internationals.
Wales finished 10th in the final rankings on their return to South Africa, after the last tournament in March 2020 was abandoned because of Covid-19.
They beat Namibia and UAE in their group, competing creditably against Pakistan, South Africa and England and only getting heavily beaten by India.
Wales also notched up a friendly win over Canada before beating Australia by five wickets in the play-offs, almost repeating the shock only to suffer a dramatic one-wicket loss against West Indies.
Rees, of Llanelli, shared captaincy duties with John Jones of Skewen, who received his 100th cap from South African legend Mike Proctor and received a ‘Spirit of Cricket’ award, before he moves up to the over 60s.
Rees smashed 86 in a memorable rain-shortened match against Australia as Wales chased down a target of 180 in 35 overs with seven overs to spare.
“We built partnerships, myself and Rowan Evans, then with Steve Maddock, and Michael Cann and we got the target very comfortably,” recalls Rees.
“We were particularly delighted with beating the Aussies, I was pleased with my knock and it was coming nicely off the bat. I’m delighted to be the first over 50s cricketer to reach the milestone of 1,000 runs as well.”
So how does Rees keep the runs flowing?
“The last few years I’ve been doing quite a bit of yoga which helps a lot and we’ve also had stretching exercises which we did continually through the three weeks, before and after the games,” he explained.
“None of the squad pulled any muscles which is quite an achievement for cricketers over 50.”
England won the tournament beating the hosts by 65 runs at the prestigious Newlands Test ground.
“It was a fantastic tournament, brilliantly organised by the South Africans, and I think the team showed we’re a Tier One nation,” said former Glamorgan all-rounder Cann – one of only three Wales players with professional experience.
“There was a great sense of community in our team on representing our nation and it was great to see the progress we’ve made in the tournament after working so hard over the winter.”
In between the Covid-hit 2020 event and its replay in 2023, Wales staged home matches against England, West Indies and India before taking part in the Caribbean Cup in autumn 2022.
It is part of the spread of senior age group cricket, which has also included over 60s and over 70s internationals, while Australia and New Zealand ventured into staging over 40s matches in February.
With more internationals planned in Wales this summer, Cann hopes it will be a force for good within Wales as well.
“Since this has developed in the last four years, the number of players coming forward in their 50s is huge,” he added.
“It’s giving something to people who’ve put so much into the game and we can attract people back, but also we can attract people back because clubs need administrators, volunteers and helpers.
“If people are in their 40s or 50s and are sat in their armchairs, come back to cricket, there’s a home for you.”
