GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S Richard Trotman flies out to Sri Lanka on Wednesday, determined to help England retain the Over 50 Cricket World Cup.
The 53-year-old all-rounder was a key member of the side that followed up an excellent series of displays by triumphing in the final over hosts South Africa in Cape Town in 2023.
And Trotman knows it will need another tremendous squad effort if England are to once again succeed in the 14-nation tournament.
He said: “I was recently running around the streets of Coalpit Heath in temperatures of minus two … trying to stay fit for matches that are going to be played in very testing heat and humidity!
“The schedule is also extremely tight. We open up with a one-day international against Sri Lanka on February 7, and then have six World Cup group games in ten days.
“There are then play offs on February 20, six placing finals on the 22nd and the cup final itself on February 23 before we also squeeze in a one-off Ashes international against Australia on the 24th.”
Trotman, who is now approaching 30 seniors caps and has also captained his country on several occasions, goes into the tournament as the 15th ranked batter in Over 50 international cricket.
He added: “As well as helping us retain the trophy, I would love to improve my ranking and hopefully earn a place in the World XI that gets named at the end of the tournament.
“I massively enjoy playing for England … I still love my Saturday league cricket and look forward to it every week, but the chance to play internationally has definitely given me a real focus to stay fit and keep going.”
This World Cup promises to be the most competitive yet as seniors cricket continues to grow in popularity and teams attract more former internationals and first-class players to take part.
Sri Lanka’s squad, for example, features leg spinner Upul Chandana, who appeared in 16 Tests and 147 one day internationals for his country, along with wicketkeeper-batter Indika de Sarum who has 19 international caps to his name.
England’s 18-man squad have undergone monthly training sessions and fitness checks at Loughborough and Marlborough while Trotman has also made the most of coaching Gloucestershire under-14s by honing his bowling at their weekly nets.
On his return from Sri Lanka, Trotman will prepare for the start of the new season at a new club.
He has signed for WEPL Premier Two Glos/Wilts outfit Chippenham where he hopes, for the first time in competitive cricket, to be able to line up with sons Max, Henry and Arthur!
England’s group games in Colombo will be against Zimbabwe (February 9), USA (February 12), UAE (February 13), Sri Lanka (February 15), New Zealand (February 17) and Namibia (February 18).
The second group consists of South Africa, Pakistan, Wales, India, West Indies, Canada and Australia.