NEW ZEALAND OVER 65 - Quad Series 2026

Back row:  S. Edmonds, T. Hills, K. Goldsbury, D. Fleming, H. Wright, A. Bligh, S. Cunningham

Front row: A. Durrans, C. Kennedy, G. Inglis, G. Alexander (captain), S. Pringle, M. Bosomworth, C. Adams

Sunday, June 7

The New Zealand squad arrived at various times yesterday at our accommodation on the Mooloolaba waterfront (Landmark Resort and Spa). 

We woke to a chilly and largely overcast morning but by late morning the sun was out and temperatures passing 20 degrees. This allowed us to enjoy an excellent pre-tournament net session at Maroochydore Cricket Club, the venue for the tournament starting tomorrow.

The evening meet-and greet at the Mooloolaba Bowling Club brought the players of the four international teams together for some light-hearted banter before battle commences tomorrow morning. 

Among the guests present was 80 year-old ex-Australian test fast bowler and Queensland cricket stalwart, Geoff Dymock (21 test matches between 1974-1980) who caught up with some of the NZ players who played at the Geoff Dymock Oval during the 2024 Australian National Over 60 Championships in Brisbane.

Monday, June 8

Day one of the tournament and the inaugural Over 65 international cricket game for both New Zealand and Australia.

After a brief welcome to all four teams and the pre-match National anthems, Australia started their innings after winning the toss.

We had plenty of opportunities to gain the advantage in the first 15 overs but several difficult chances went down and other near misses saw the Australians well set at 60-1 at the first drinks break (15 overs). We continued to press with little going our way and while we picked up a number of late wickets, Australia made their way to a respectable 238-9 off their 45 overs. Steve Pringle with 4-40 was the pick of our bowlers with Greg Alexander and Graeme Inglis (2 wickets each) and Kevin Goldsbury (1-28 off 9) all bowling well. 

In reply we made a solid start and were level with Australia at the 15 over mark, but consistently tight bowling and energetic fielding restricted our scoring rate. By the final 10 overs the required run rate was virtually unachievable and in fading light the game was concluded two overs early with us six wickets down and 77 runs short of our target.

Allan Bligh made a bright 24 early in the innings and Chris Kennedy (34), Greg Alexander (33 not out) and Graeme Inglis (30) all made valuable contributions. 

We now look ahead to playing Sri Lanka tomorrow in a must-win game if we want to make the final on Thursday.

Tuesday, June 9

Day two of the tournament and the two losing teams from round 1 (NZ and Sri Lanka) faced off at John Blanck Oval. We batted first and were in early trouble at 36-3 which included another bright knock from Allan Bligh (22).

Captain Greg Alexander came in at number 5 and combined with excellent support from Graeme Inglis (43) for a 4th wicket partnership of 100, then with Steve Cunningham (19) for a 5th wicket partnership of 53, we ended up with a healthy total of 200 for 7 wickets at the end of 45 overs. A superb knock from captain Alexander who ended on 85 not out.

In reply Steve Pringle was in top form again with the ball and took regular wickets through his 9 over spell to finish with the amazing figures of 6 wickets for 15 runs and claim the Player of the Day award. Fellow opener Terry Hills took 1-37 and after tight wicket-less spells by Kevin Goldsbury (0-26 off 9) and Simon Edmonds (0-11 off 6 overs), Dave Fleming cleaned up the tail with 3 wickets for 17 runs to see Sri Lanka dismissed for 115 and a win to NZ by 85 runs.

With Australia beating Australia A by 5 wickets today it leaves us with effectively a semi-final against Australia A on Thursday for a place in the final against Australia on Friday. We can now enjoy a rest day tomorrow (Wednesday) and be recharged and ready for the next game.

Thursday, June 11

The resumption of the tournament following the rest day has unfortunately been postponed/cancelled due to excessive rain in the past 24 hours producing small 'lakes' of water around both ovals at Maroochydore Cricket Club. 

The teams travelled north 30 minutes to Tewantin Cricket Club near Noosa Heads and while the weather and ground conditions were much better than in Maroochydore, the groundsman was not willing to allow us to play there. 

UPDATE: Local grounds near Maroochydore are closed tomorrow (Friday). Weather-permitting, the final round will be played at Tewantin Cricket Club with T20 games between Australia and Sri Lanka from 9.30am AEST then New Zealand vs Australia A from early afternoon.