Sports

Cricket ACT legend Peter Solway to lead Australia

The only thing that kept Peter Solway from packing up his kit bag for good was his boys.

He kept churning out runs in the lower grades as they rose through the ranks, and now the Canberra Comets legend has been selected to captain Australia in the over 50s Cricket World Cup beginning on November 20.

Peter Solway (right) with sons Dean (centre) and Mark (left).

Peter Solway (right) with sons Dean (centre) and Mark (left).Credit:Andrew Sheargold

Solway's preparation before heading to Sydney for the World Cup will be simple – "a fair few walks with the dog and nothing too strenuous, because injury is always a bit of a worry when you get to the over 50s".

In between walks, the 53-year-old finds himself at the helm of Queanbeyan's all-conquering third grade side, polishing off a resume featuring 270 first grade games for Queanbeyan, ANU and Eastlake to go with 183 matches for the ACT.

Advertisement

He has won more grand finals and scored more runs than any other player in ACT first grade history, his high score of 339 has stood the test of time for almost 30 years, and he suited up for the Prime Minister's XI alongside Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer.

As impressive as those numbers are, none of it comes close to seeing his sons Dean and Mark turn out for the Bluebags.

"I stayed playing lower grade cricket with Queanbeyan to see them come through and actually enjoyed it, playing with a lot of the young kids who are trying to get up through the grades at Queanbeyan," Solway said.

"Myself and a couple of older fellas, Frosty [Michael Frost] and Dave Horsfall and a couple of guys like that have kept me keen. We get a bit of a kick out of seeing the younger guys improve."

Australia will lock horns with England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand, Wales and Canada, with each side to face off in a 45-over match.

The top four placed teams will progress to the finals for a chance to make history while the bottom four sides will be left to fight it out in the plate finals.

Peter Solway in his Comets days.

Peter Solway in his Comets days.Credit:Paul Harris

To rework a line from Forrest Gump: "the over 50s World Cup is like a box of chocolates" – because Cricket ACT life member Solway all but admits you never know what you're going to get.

"Its a real unknown. Some teams have a spattering of ex-first class players in their teams, but the strength of the teams is a real unknown," Solway said.

"Id imagine England will be one of the better teams, they have a pretty structured competition in England with a number of ex-first class players still playing, Id say theyd be pretty strong. Who knows? I know we played New Zealand last year and they were very strong as well.

"Were certainly going up there to try to win the competition. It would be an honour and a bit of a thrill."

Australian over 50s World Cup squad: Peter Solway (ACT) (C), Bill Blair (VIC), Greg Briggs (NSW), Gavin Brown (QLD), Anthony Clark (NSW), Stephen Gollan (WA), Rowan Harry (NSW), Warwick Hayes (NSW), Darren Hill (VIC), Brad Mant (WA), Todd OKeefe (NSW), Trent Ryan (QLD), Joe Santostefano (WA), Tim Sargent (SA), John Short (NSW), Darren Smith (NSW). Paul Nemes (ACT) has been named on the standby list.

Caden Helmers is a sports reporter for The Canberra Times

Related Articles

Check Also
Close
Back to top button