STROUD’S Keith Daniels has become the highest runs scorer in first XI county Over 60 cricket … at the age of 72!
The left-hander recently overtook previous record holder Mike Swain, of Hampshire, with a current total of 5,100 and counting!
Keith quips that his record is only “temporary” as he will no doubt be overtaken at some point by younger players, particularly as he is now also playing Over 70s cricket for Gloucestershire.
The former teacher, who won 10 caps for England Over 60s, has scored more than a hundred centuries in a memorable career with Cranham, the now defunct Cotswold and current club Stroud along with appearing for Gloucestershire Gipsies and St Luke’s College, amongst many others.
He said: “I’m lucky to still be fit enough to play for the 60s, and still get a big buzz from it all. Cricket’s been a massive part of my life.”
Gloucestershire Over 50s, meanwhile, made it three from three with an eight-wicket win over Herefordshire at Thornbury.
Ryan Jamieson’s burst of 4-47 helped reduce the visitors to 176-9 before opener Mike Courtiour (52) and Jon Tegg (47 not) made light work of the chase.
The O50s 2nds trumped their Dorset counterparts by five wickets, Golden Hill’s Simon Hygate cracking his second successive century to finish on an unbeaten 108 from 104 (17 fours) after Alistair Smith bagged 4-21.
Gloucestershire O60s emerged five-run victors at Dumbleton against Worcestershire, Tim Smith (75 not) and Keith Daniels (64) shining before Nick Marment claimed 3-53.
But the 60s second string lost out by three wickets against Worcester, and the 3rds also went down by seven wickets against the same opponents despite half centuries from openers Alan Thomas and Alistair Kilfoil.
The 70s fared better with a 104-run victory at Poulton over Warwickshire, opener John Evans top scoring on 97 while there were two wickets apiece for Richard Carman and Graham Clarke.