RICHARD Trotman is set to make his international cricketing debut … at the age of 50!
The Twyford House all-rounder has been named in the England Over 50 side for a one-day international on Thursday against the West Indies at Broxbourne in Hertfordshire. And he will follow up that appearance by facing India, Wales and the West Indies in the Marlborough Cup at Marlborough College from July 10-12.
Trotman has further been selected for the England squad which will take part in the Caribbean Cup, in Barbados in November, ahead of a squad being named for the Over 50 World Cup in South Africa in March.
Trotman, who will line up alongside former Gloucestershire captain and England star Mark Alleyne in the Marlborough Cup internationals, was delighted to receive a Whatsapp message informing him of his selection which followed an exhaustive trial day at Loughborough in April.
He said: “That was as tough as anything I’ve done for a while … four hours of fielding before batting for an hour and then bowling for an hour.
“In total there were 35 of us from 17 different counties, and they made us sweat a bit before letting us know, but it’s absolutely the best news I’ve ever had in a text.
“I’m not counting any chickens at this stage as I want to get that first game under my belt, but being selected is up there with anything I’ve been lucky to achieve in cricket so far. Playing at a very competitive level with Twyford has definitely helped me, as has the fact that I bowl seam.”
Trotman, who made his debut last year for Gloucestershire Over 50s’ second string, played his first game of senior cricket aged 10, for the now defunct Roman Glass.
He has been a well-established force with bat and ball in club cricket for the best part of 30 years but prior to this selection his most significant representative honour was to attend West of England U14 trials.
He added: “I’m really looking forward to being on the field, wearing my blazer for the national anthem. It’s a shame Baz (new England Test Brendon McCullum) doesn’t need a 50-year-old but this is definitely the next best thing!’