Previous Carnival - Perth Western Australia 2005 Details.....
The World Vintage Cricket Carnival in Perth was a great success.
Fantastic games, the best of company, teams from around the cricket world.
The 2nd World Vintage Cricket Carnival in March was a great success with 27 visiting teams (and part teams) hosted by 9 local clubs in the fantastic city of Perth. Great facilities, wonderful weather, friendly hosts and fun cricket were features of a really enjoyable "Celebration of the Great Game of Cricket".
Teams and players came from England, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, USA, Canada, Barbados and India and ranged from a number of former international players through past 1st class players to club players to one of our US players from Oregon who had never played on a grass pitch and whose visit to the WACA was his first to a "real" cricket ground.
Distinguished Visitors....
Our past internationals included Gary Troup (New Zealand) who led his cosmopolitan team of Troupy's Troopers with good judgment and good nature and Geoff Howarth (New Zealand) who showed the classical batting style and his canny captaincy skills with the Fingletoads Internationals. Geoff Lawson (Australia) was an enthusiastic member of University of New South Wales (between hamstring scares and rounds of golf) and Vintage India included Yajurvindra Singh and Anshuman Gaekwad - two outstanding cricketers who soon adapted to the spirit of Vintage Cricket.
"The Spirit and Blend of Vintage Cricket".
from left front row. Yarvindra Singh, Geoff Lawson, Joel Garner, Gary Troup, Geoff Howarth.
Back row..Phil Campling (Fingletoads Internationals-Australia) Gary Robinson (Fingletoads Internationals-Australia) Geoff Smith (Troupy's Troopers - England).
Joel Garner was a popular, outgoing, fantastic part of the Carnival and delighted members of Tawa Turtles, Taupo Trouts and Townsville Old Crocs - all of whom enjoyed Joel's cricketing services during the week. Joel who is fully committed to Vintage Cricket comfortably adapted to Vintage Cricket and was a great ambassador for the Vintage Cricket movement and for the 3rd Vintage Cricket Carnival that is to be held in his home island of Barbados.
Joel mixing with University Fingletoads Merlots in typical pose - smiling.
Teams enjoyed the company of ex Australian International, Tony Dodemaide, now CEO of WACA who opened the Carnival and welcomed visitors to the Boundary Room on the WACA Ground and Carnival Patron, Barry Richards who gave a short address at the Closing Dine and Dance. Organisers were grateful to Dennis Lillee, currently President of WACA who could not attend but sent a warm and sincere message of good wishes to the Carnival.
Teams....
Among the very popular teams who took part were the WACA Indigenous who were sponsored by WACA and Vintage Cricket and who turned out to be the surprise package with a very strong team who quickly adapted to the Vintage Cricket way and were involved in 3 extremely enjoyable games against Parkvale Puffers (New Zealand), Fingletoads Internationals (New Zealand, Australia, England, Canada and USA) and Suburbs New Lynn Pressies (New Zealand) who enjoyed a didgeridoo concert at the end of their game. "Thanks for having us. It was a great week of cricket and getting to know people from around the world who enjoy cricket as we do. We all hope to see you next year in the West Indies" Paul Bagshaw, Captain WACA Indigenous. WACA Indigenous Team.
The Barnawartha North Team under the capable leadership of Marty Vana created some sort of record (apart from the fact that they are rumoured to have drunk more bottles of beer than runs they scored-and they scored plenty) by flying into Perth in time for the Opening Function having completed successfully their club competition semi-final and then left the Closing Dine and Dance in great shape following "a few beers" to fly back to Melbourne on the 11.30 from Perth to take part in their competition final that morning. With time changes and flying time they landed in Melbourne at 6.00 am to start at two day final at 10.00 am. It is perhaps a bit ominous that we have not heard how they fared. Barnawartha North.
Every visiting team contributed to the success of the Carnival and we are grateful for the participation and their enthusiasm for Vintage Cricket. Teams who took part included
Outback Emus - all the way from Broken Hill - a Vintage Cricket Foundation Team and one of the first teams entered and fun to be around. "We have just returned home after touring around W.A. following the carnival. The Outback Emus had a great time in Perth. Thanks once again for you efforts" Dennis Cetinich, organiser Outback Emus.
University of Auckland Fingletoads Merlots - socially over the top, competent on the cricket field until fatigue set in and featured Malcolm Boyle, the Merlots answer to Mark Richardson who ran in after the match sprint races against the oppositions nominated slowest player.and lost on all three occasions.
University of Auckland Fingletoads Chardonnays - like their name/brand would suggest they didn't always live up to expectations. Wives and supporters may well have won the shopping challenge. "A big thank you to Vintage Cricket for organising the Perth trip. We thoroughly enjoyed the tournament week" Jo Hollies, supporter and shopping championship contender, Fingletoads Chardonnays.
University of Auckland Fingletoads Internationals - a diverse and likeable bunch of International Cricket travellers who as Geoff Howarth observed bowled the Indigenous XI out within 40 overs ("they didn't use all their overs a sin in this form of the game") but unfortunately they had scored 309. Internationals batted out their overs as every good team should and the losing margin was only slightly over 100. Sometimes conventional wisdom does not work.
Sandy Bateman, Fingletoads International Scorer where she achieved standards well above those of the players.
University of New South Wales - a great bunch resplendent in colourful jackets but unfortunately appeared to have a tendency pull up lame.
University of New South Wales
University of Queensland Old Boys - now becoming a Vintage Cricket Carnival regular team, the lads from Queensland reported that .."the cricket highlight was playing against Big Bird, Winston Chase and Darnley Boxill (all from Barbados). Joel brought a large bottle of rum after the game which was very smooth".
Taupo Trouts - the lads from central North Island of New Zealand were fortunate not to have a full team and on one occasion to have Joel Garner as their substitute-something they acknowledge is unlikely to be repeated.
Taupo Trouts with guest players
Townsville Old Crocs - veterans of many a Carnival and Festival, Townsville Old Crocs were another who were a player of two short and made sure Joel was part of them team for one game.
Paramatta Golden Oldies - one of our Foundation teams, Paramatta were impeccably turned out again and featured our oldest player whose identity is a well kept secret.
Onslow Old Slow - from Wellington the Old Slows thought they had Barnawartha North on the run having taken 7 wickets for not very many inside 20 overs unaware that Barnawartha had reversed their order and there was a century in the waiting at the bottom of the order. A sure cure for over confidence.
Suburbs New Lynn Pressies from Auckland-what can you say about a bunch of really nice people. Always relaxed and always enjoying themselves and welcome regulars to Vintage Cricket. Did a long, semi-rough tractor coach trip to the Pinnacles.
Geyserland Googlies - Rotorua's finest and quite clearly the best dancing team at the Carnival. Also featured a gentleman who insisted on being put in touch with the Complaints Office to advise he had no complaints.
Geyserland v Kingsley Woodvale at Kingsley Drive.
Wheatons - from Armidale in New South Wales, the Wheatons were the winners of the Early Bird draw for a dinner out that reportedly they thoroughly enjoyed at Halo restaurant on the side of the Swan River. Great people, great restaurant. . “Just a quick message to thank you for the great organisation which made the Perth Vintage Carnival so successful and enjoyable. We all had a great time. The feedback from my team was all good, with a lot of interest in the forthcoming Barbados" Kevin Pike, Wheatons Organiser.
Sussex Goldies - old friends who made the trip down under and joined the Shropshire Over 50s and the sole representative of Countess Wear Cricket Club to create a formidable English challenge on and off the field. A great group of people who won an early bird draw for an additional nights accommodation that they sensibly used at the Sorrento Resort by the beach. "On behalf of all the Sussex Group I would like to thank all those involved in arranging and operating the Vintage Cricket Carnival in Perth. It was without doubt the most enjoyable and well organised event of its type that we have participated in." Dave Roberts, Organiser, Sussex Goldies Cricket
Shropshire Over 50's teamed up with Sussex (and our mate from Countess Wear) and were involved in the longest bus trip to a ground when a coach driver got lost and took over an hour to find a ground 10 minutes from the hotel. Best (and cheapest) sightseeing tour of Western Perth that any of the teams experienced.
Worcestershire over 50's - a very experienced travelling team who not only took a full part in the Carnival but managed a post Carnival tour with additional games in Bunbury, Busselton and against Claremont Nedlands. Suffered the only "major" injury when one of their number whose identity is protected dived for a ball in the field (most unusual occurrence in Vintage Cricket) and sadly stopped it with his face-a great black eye more befitting rugby football than cricket.
Countess Wear - gradually the numbers fell until only Bob Adams from the Countess Wear club made the trek to Perth and joined his new mates from Sussex and Shropshire and took a very full part in the Carnival-on and off the field.
Vintage India - a late entry from a team led by past Indian Internationals, Anshuman Gaekwad and Yarvindra Singh and under the capable and experienced manager, Raju Mehta. The team quickly adapted to Vintage Cricket and their involvement-the 1st by an Indian team, is undoubtedly the forerunner of more teams to come. Yarvindra (Sunny) has accepted the role of Vintage Cricket representative and Anshuman who enjoyed his return to the cricket grounds of Australia has promised to be a regular at Vintage Cricket Carnivals.
Busselton Gerryhatricks - a great team from the delightful coastal town in South Western Australia, the Busselton team not only took a full part in the Carnival but also hosted visiting teams - Troupy's Troopers/Fingletoads Internationals and Worcester over 50's in pre and post Carnival tours. A very friendly bunch, they were our best publicised team. . "It was a great 2 weeks for all of us guys who participated in all or part of the event, especially those of us who were lucky enough to play against Joel Garner. We got a great photo of our team with the Big Bird, it was even published in both of our local papers" Noel Elliott, Busselton Gerryhatricks.
Western Bay of Plenty Golden Oldies - a great bunch of guys (and 1 gal) from the sunny Bay of Plenty had the misfortune to meet up with Gavin Doull, ex Auckland Club player and brother of New Zealand fast bowler, Simon Doull. Gavin took the opportunity to show a bit of his old form with a hard hit century coming in as a recycled batsman. One of the Western Bay of Plenty players noted with some satisfaction that "at least he will be stiff and sore tomorrow". "We had a wonderful time, thanks to the amazing organising that was done by all" Beth Kay, the gal from Western Bay of Plenty.
Hollywood Golden Oldies - under the management of Leon Lamprecht, a Vintage Cricket representative in USA, the Hollywood team epitomizes all that is good about Vintage Cricket. They play in good spirit and to the best of the ability (slightly dimmed by age and weariness) and enjoy great friendships and camaraderie off the field. Already entered for Barbados, the Hollywood team is ready to host teams in Los Angeles on the way to the 2006 Carnival and real good hosting it will be.
Hollywood Golden Oldies.
Tawa Turtles - another of our popular teams from Wellington (and one of our best organised) were another to have the services of Joel Garner and very surprisingly batted the Big Bird at number 11 and only used him for 4 overs. Perhaps the Tawa captain had mistaken him for someone else but observers felt his talents were under used in that game.
Troupy's Troopers - genial, considerate (to the opposition), friendly, fun - all the things people say about teams that don't win that often. Gave new meaning to the observation, nice guys come second, Troupy's Troopers were great tourists with players from New Zealand, England, Australia and Canada coming together for the Carnival and already planning for Barbados. The team welcomed Keith James all the way from a deep winter in Winnipeg, Canada who rewarded his team mates with a popular and well compiled 30 in the last game of the Carnival.
Parkvale Puffers - from Carterton in the lower half of the North Island of New Zealand (wine country), this was a happy, popular team who despite being dismissed for 35 in their opening game against WACA Indigenous (more time in the bar so we were told), bounced back to perform admirably on and off the field and really got into the spirit of Vintage Cricket.
Host Teams and Clubs....
Vintage Cricket Carnival visiting teams were hosted by some outstanding clubs who went beyond the call to ensure that all players and supporters had the best of catering, playing conditions and hospitality. There were very few hiccups during the week as the clubs hosted 17 games around the city. The quality of pitches, outfields and practice facilities gave us a real insight as to why Australia is the leading cricket nation in the world and why Western Australia continues to produce some of the games greatest players. Many of the Vintage Cricket players were envious of the pitches and outfields that Western Australian players get to play on every week.
Relaxing by the field.
Sincere thanks and appreciation are due to Claremont Nedlands led by Graeme Chinnery and his band of helpers, who had two teams in the Carnival.
Scarborough Cricket Club provided a team, two pitches and fantastic pavilion facilities.
Mt Lawley entered a team, offered two pitches and great facilities.Mt Lawley Pavilion
Mt Lawley Inglewood entered a team and hosted games on their artificial pitch and at their comfortable and friendly clubrooms.
Subiaco Floreat entered a team and hosted at delightful Aldebury Reserve.
University of Western Australia comfortably won the University Challenge with a clean sweep over University of New South Wales, University of Auckland Fingletoads Chardonnays and University of Queensland hosted teams at James Oval-a wonderful club facilities and McGillivray Oval and provided some interesting and novel lunches.
Waneroo District entered a strong, friendly team and provided great hospitality and facilities.
Waneroo Association Roos entered a team and hosted at the delightful Waneroo Showgrounds.
Kingsley Woodvale entered a friendly enthusiastic team who hosted at their clubrooms.
"Congratulations on the Vintage Cricket Carnival. I believe it has been an outstanding success and augers well for the future success of the Carnival"
John Townsend, Captain of University of Western Australia Penguins and cricket reporter for the Western Australian newspaper.
Umpires....
The official umpires drawn from WACA, Perth Cricket Association, Wanneroo Cricket Association, Western Australia Suburban Turf Association and South Metropolitan Cricket Association soon entered into the spirit of Vintage Cricket and were a very valuable part of the Carnival. It is a great thrill for all matches to have official umpires and to allow the players to relax and enjoy the games.
It was a special treat to have former Surrey and England Test player, Peter Loader stand in games. Peter who now makes Perth his home is a competent and relaxed umpire and the teams were flattered to have Peter stand in their games.
Vintage Cricket is grateful to Irvin Morris, our Vintage Cricket UK representative who travelled from the depths of a Lancashire winter to stand in 3 matches and to expand his already considerable cricket umpiring career in typical Western Australian conditions - hot and sunny.
Above right: Wanneroo Cricket Club v Onslow Old Slows, Kingsway Reserve, Umpires - on left Irvin Morris of Lancashire and on right Peter Loader ex Surrey and England International.
Photos....
Photos from Perth are courtesy of Paul's Photographic Presentations