England is about to reclaim the ashes… thanks to the over 70s.

British over 70s are rolling back their years in pursuit of Ashes fame. Photo: Mark Watson/Mark Watson

The ashes are still alive. England, in fact, are on the verge of returning «clean ashes» this summer in the overall standings.

The English women, at first, equaled their streak with Australia by eight points each.

Second, the England men drew a five-test series against Australia 2–2.

England over 60s (men) then defeated Australia 3-2 with the help of Mel Hussain , Nasser's older brother, and won five one-day international tournaments known as «Grey Ashes».

Now England The Over 70s are losing 1-0 to Australia in a three match series for the Silver Ashes after winning the first leg by 54 points.

England's dominant team leads Australia 1-0 in the 'Silver Ashes' Series Credit & Copyright: Mark Watson/Mark Watson

Cricket for older men is a major development in the UK. Cricket has always stood out as a sport for dads and boys. It is becoming a sport where grandparents and grandchildren are also ripe for playing together. District Cricket Championship, 2500 players registered (including your correspondent, who must declare his interest as vice president). They play 800 matches every summer, in the middle of the week and in beautiful venues.

So England had a large pool from which to choose their over 70 team to play Australia on Sunday at Castle Park in Colchester in the first of three international matches of over 50. Last winter the England Over 70s won the Silver Ashes in Australia 2-1.

The seniors game is growing in England, with around 2,500 players vying for the national preselection. Photo: Mark Watson/Mark Watson Bowler opening the tour, Colin Cook played for Queensland alongside Geoff Thomson. 39;Silver Ash' it lacks the physicality of the modern game — spinning is the norm, nobody dives, and batsmen play from the ground. Credit: Mark Watson/Mark Watson

The knees, hips and tendons of first-class cricketers usually don't make it past the age of seventy, but Australia has the first bowler, Colin Cooke, who was playing for Queensland at the same time as Jeff Thomson, almost half a century ago. In general, the bowler's speed does not correspond to his age in years.

This series of over 70 international matches can be viewed live; and it must be like going to the cinema in the 1950s to watch a newsreel of England's last Test match. Much of the bowling alley rotates; players are rounded, comfortable shape; nobody dives; and the batsmen hit the ball on the ground.

The star batsman in England was their new captain, John Evans, who scored 114* out of 256 in seven. It could have been Tom Graveney in the old days, dribbled, usually right at the wicket, switching to his front foot to defend, or kicking from behind. Evans' father played for the RAF with an English stylist, and John watched Graveney play for Gloucestershire and Worcestershire without intentionally copying.

Evo is fine too. Previously, he was a physical education teacher. I have to declare another interest in that I played with him for Gloucestershire over 60s and even on the hottest days he was sharp between wickets accumulating his hundreds. Trials and fitness tests for England over 60s and over 70s are rigorous; and a defibrillator should be on hand, which should now be at all cricket matches.

fitness tests, and a defibrillator is always at hand. Photo: Mark Watson/Mark Watson

One Australian batsman started his pitch with monumental slowness, so they never participated in the chase and lost by 54 points. England had two left hand spinners, the type of bowling that seems to decrease the least with age.

Nationally, most first-class counties have at least three sides for the over 50 and over 60 levels and maybe a couple over 70 years old. Among people over 50, former first-class cricketers are more likely to be encountered before their appetite for the sport is satiated.

In addition to more international players, another obvious area for growth is that each county will host a match each summer between its seniors and juniors, or veterans vs. newcomers, or past vs. future, i.e. A fast bowler -19 maybe, but their U-15 fast bowler and their U-19 leg spinner.

Gloucestershire are hoping to have that game at their Cheltenham Festival next year. Ideally, it would be a day of reunion for their players. The county's current left-hander will then be able to face his predecessor and likely successor.

So many county cricketers never want to come back. Before the HR regulations, they were called to the club secretary's office and told that their contract would not be renewed in September. A reunion day like this can help them reconcile, feel like part of the neighborhood club again, feel like a valuable link in the chain of its past, present and future, or even a member of one large and increasingly happy family. /p>Photo Action An England player watches the ball with his bat. Photo: Mark Watson An English batsman plays with his back foot. Photo: Mark Watson/Mark Watson cd46832e5. jpg» /> An England batsman kicks the ball over his leg. Photo: Mark Watson Spin is the norm at this level from Games Credit & Copyright: Mark Watson.