CRICKET: England call-up is just the job for Bob

Peterborough Town veteran Bob Milne has been called up to play for England at the age of 55.
New England player Bob Milne in action for Castor.New England player Bob Milne in action for Castor.
New England player Bob Milne in action for Castor.

Milne will take part in the first 50+ international cricket tournament in Sri Lanka next month. He’s likely to play on Test match venues in Colombo and Galle, and against players with Test match experience.

Opponents will include Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, India, West Indies and Sri Lanka. The host nation are expected to select players with full international caps, while India have confirmed that former Test players Rajesh Chauhan, Chetan Chauhan and Manoj Prabhakar will take part.

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It’s the first England call up for Milne, who currently skippers the Peterborough Town second XI. He’s enjoyed an illustrious local club career with Castor, Nenedale and Huntingdon as well as Town, while also representing Cambs and Hunts regularly at minor county level.

A fine cover drive from Bob Milne.A fine cover drive from Bob Milne.
A fine cover drive from Bob Milne.

Milne has also been a stalwart of the Hunts Over 50s team (usually as skipper) since becoming eligible. It’s his form at age-group county level that attracted the attention of England selectors.

“It’s a great honour, especially at this stage of my career,” Milne said. “I’ve played cricket abroad before, but not in Sri Lanka and not for England. It will be competitive, but it should also be a lot of fun. To hopefully open the batting at a Test match venue should be a great experience.

“There are some excellent cricketers who play in our county over 50s competition so I’m very pleased to have received a call up.”

The tournament takes place between February 17 and March 1. Four semi-finalists will emerge from two groups of four with the final scheduled for Colombo.