Reds Perreira says expect Over-40s World Cup to be competitive; it will produce a high standard for Guyanese spectators and viewers worldwide
———————————————————————
Cricket lovers in the Caribbean may be surprised that before Over-40s Cricket
became a competition worldwide, a high number of players continued to play at
the first-class and international levels for their respective states, provinces,
counties, and in the Caribbean itself. The late great George Headley, who was
robbed of 5 years of international cricket because of the 1939 war, played
against British Guiana at Bourda, at the advanced age of 43, scoring 36 in one
innings he had played before ending his career in a one-off test when made
captain against England in 1948. There are many other examples of players
playing well past their 40th year, such as Brian Close of England at the right
‘old’ age of 44, while Colin Coudry’s last test match was at the age of 42 years
against Australia at Perth. When England had difficulty in finding an opening
partner for Len Hutton in an Ashes Series against Australia, Cyril Washbrook
(Lancashire, UK) was belatedly recalled and, drawing on his great experience
in putting together an impressive 98 when England batted in the first innings, in
a winning cause for England about 42 years.
Just over a recent decade, Australian back-of-the-arm spinner, Brad Hogg, was
brought back by the selectors to further mesmerise batsmen worldwide at a
very competitive age of 42 while in the Caribbean; Devon Smith of the
Windwards and Ryan Hinds of Barbados continued their first-class careers after
playing for the West Indies WI deep into their 40s, producing some impressive
performances. To further support the point at over 40 years, the
Hampshire-born Derek Shackleton, who was recalled to play against the WI at
Lord's in 1963, ended his career for Hampshire at the ripe old age of 45, while
the Pakistan-born Imran Tahir, who qualified to play white-ball cricket for South
Africa, recently led the Guyana Warriors in the 2026 CPL and will celebrate his
2
48th birthday in 2027. The captain of England for the Over-40 World Cup in
Guyana, Darren Stevens, previously played for Leicestershire and Kent, ending
his outstanding career at the age of 46 years and is presently a member of the
Kent backroom staff as a bowling coach.
After seeing the names of the 16 countries that will take part in the 2026
Over-40 World Cup, the majority would have had a sound and competitive
first-class career, including some former internationals. The WI Squad under
former WI Captain, Denesh Ramdin should feel confident of doing well in this
World Cup, as nearly all the players would have experience playing cricket in
Guyana for their respective countries. For a bit of trivia, records show that CK
Nayudu made his Test debut at 40 for India and continues to play first-class
cricket for the state of Uttar Pradesh.
(From Reds Perreira)
Reds Perriera is on the Radio/TV Commentary panel for the Over-40s World Cup in Guyana from Oct 17-31
———————————————————————
Cricket lovers in the Caribbean may be surprised that before Over-40s Cricket
became a competition worldwide, a high number of players continued to play at
the first-class and international levels for their respective states, provinces,
counties, and in the Caribbean itself. The late great George Headley, who was
robbed of 5 years of international cricket because of the 1939 war, played
against British Guiana at Bourda, at the advanced age of 43, scoring 36 in one
innings he had played before ending his career in a one-off test when made
captain against England in 1948. There are many other examples of players
playing well past their 40th year, such as Brian Close of England at the right
‘old’ age of 44, while Colin Coudry’s last test match was at the age of 42 years
against Australia at Perth. When England had difficulty in finding an opening
partner for Len Hutton in an Ashes Series against Australia, Cyril Washbrook
(Lancashire, UK) was belatedly recalled and, drawing on his great experience
in putting together an impressive 98 when England batted in the first innings, in
a winning cause for England about 42 years.
Just over a recent decade, Australian back-of-the-arm spinner, Brad Hogg, was
brought back by the selectors to further mesmerise batsmen worldwide at a
very competitive age of 42 while in the Caribbean; Devon Smith of the
Windwards and Ryan Hinds of Barbados continued their first-class careers after
playing for the West Indies WI deep into their 40s, producing some impressive
performances. To further support the point at over 40 years, the
Hampshire-born Derek Shackleton, who was recalled to play against the WI at
Lord's in 1963, ended his career for Hampshire at the ripe old age of 45, while
the Pakistan-born Imran Tahir, who qualified to play white-ball cricket for South
Africa, recently led the Guyana Warriors in the 2026 CPL and will celebrate his
2
48th birthday in 2027. The captain of England for the Over-40 World Cup in
Guyana, Darren Stevens, previously played for Leicestershire and Kent, ending
his outstanding career at the age of 46 years and is presently a member of the
Kent backroom staff as a bowling coach.
After seeing the names of the 16 countries that will take part in the 2026
Over-40 World Cup, the majority would have had a sound and competitive
first-class career, including some former internationals. The WI Squad under
former WI Captain, Denesh Ramdin should feel confident of doing well in this
World Cup, as nearly all the players would have experience playing cricket in
Guyana for their respective countries. For a bit of trivia, records show that CK
Nayudu made his Test debut at 40 for India and continues to play first-class
cricket for the state of Uttar Pradesh.
(From Reds Perreira)
Reds Perriera is on the Radio/TV Commentary panel for the Over-40s World Cup in Guyana from Oct 17-31