MOREE cricketers Alf Newman and Darrel Smith have been selected for a landmark over-50s Aboriginal team to play in a tri-series against Australia and New Zealand in April – and there’s a couple of other Moree old-boys in the squad as well.

Also selected are twin brothers Percy and Les Raveneau, with Moree and The Row Cricket Club boasting a four-man representation in the 20-man outfit.

Percy now lives in Bathurst in the New South Wales central tablelands and Les is at Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast region of Queensland.

The limited-over series, at Harrup Park in Mackay, Queensland from April 10-17, will showcase the Australian over-55s team, New Zealand over-55s team and the debut appearance of the Australian Aboriginal 0ver-50s team.

Darrel Smith has been named vice-captain, with Lidcombe Public School principal, Matt Lewis, skippering the team.

“It’s definitely a proud moment for us. This is an inaugural team, and we’ll be playing against teams from Australia and New Zealand,” Smith said.

“It’s a great honour to be able to go out and represent our culture, our clans from around Australia, as well as Moree – especially with four boys who all played for The Row Cricket Club,” he said.

All teams will play each other twice, with the final of the six-day tournament decided on April 17.

“Mackay still has grounds available in the off-season, which is great,” Smith said.

“The week before our tournament is the national Indigenous cricket championships – the old Imparja Cup that used to be held at Alice Springs, but is now in Mackay. Our games will follow on from that.

“All teams play each other twice, with the final on the last day. That means five games in six days, and 45 overs a game, so it’s going to be a gruelling tournament.

“It’s great that we’re still able to play while we’re over 50 and get around the field. Veterans’ cricket is one of the biggest-growing sports in Australia at the moment,” he said.

Moree cricketers Alf Newman (left) and Darrel Smith have been selected for a landmark over-50s Aboriginal team to play in a tri-series against Australia and New Zealand in April.

Alf Newman said he was told earlier this year he was selected to play.

“I got a phone call from Matt Lewis, the captain, and he congratulated me for being selected in the side,” Newman said.

“It’s really good to be named in the team, but it’s a bit scary. I’ve never played at this level before – it’ll be an eye-opener.

“But it’s a proud moment, that’s for sure, especially when there are four of us on the team that come from a little town like Moree – two of us are still in Moree and Percy and Les are from Moree but now living away.

“We’re an over-50s side and we play Australia over-55s and New Zealand over-55s – I might be the youngest player of all of them,” he grinned.

Darrel Smith said a fundraising drive to help cover expenses is currently being held across Moree.

“We’re doing some fundraising to help with costs, and had a barbecue stall at the Gomeroi Nations Markets a couple of weeks ago,” Smith said.

“We’ll try and get into the Pally Markets and do the same thing, and we’ve got some Saturday morning barbecues planned for out the front of Mitre 10.”

The tournament  marks a significant milestone in the evolution of veterans’ cricket.

By featuring over-55s teams and the first-ever Australian Aboriginal over-50s side, the tournament paves the way for expanded participation and fosters an inclusive cricketing environment.

Veterans Cricket Australia over-50s board chair, Andrew Knight, said the tri-series was more than just a tournament.

“It’s a symbol of progress,” Knight said.

“We’re creating meaningful pathways for veterans to continue their cricketing journeys while embracing the unique heritage of the Aboriginal team.

“We couldn’t be prouder to bring this vision to life in Mackay,” he said.

The full Aboriginal squad includes captain Matt Lewis (Bidjara), vice-captain Darrel Smith (Anaiwan), Allan Bougoure (Darug-Kamilaroi), Rob Hyatt (Wotjobaluk-Gunnaikurnai), Steve Jennings (Gunnaikurnai), Jamie Jewiss (Wiradjuri), Jason Jewiss (Wiradjuri), John Jewiss (Wiradjuri), Peter Lee (Githabul-Bundjalung), William Moggs (Bigambul), Alf Newman (Kamilaroi), Percy Raveneau (Kamilaroi), Mark Smee (Kamilaroi), Craig Trindall (Kamilaroi), Tim Croft (Gurinjdi-Malgnin-Mudpurra), Colin Lamont (Bwgcolman), Bert Pearce (Wiradjuri), Les Raveneau (Kamilaroi) and Ken Vowles (Waramunga).

Words and Image: Bill Poulos