Wales Over 50\'s took on Australia Over 50\'s in the 1st ever Over 50\'s One Day International at the Newport Fugitives Cricket Ground on Tuesday 18th July 2017 and what a game it was, with all 3 result possible as the final ball of the match was bowled.
Before the game the Australia players involved in the match were all presented with their "baggy green" caps.
School children from High Cross Primary School formed a guard of honour as both teams walked on to the field for the National Anthems, and sang the Welsh National Anthem with great gusto. Australia won the toss and decided they would bat first.
They posted a total of 201-9 from their 50 overs with Warwick Hayes top scoring with 54, assisted by Mal Coleman (34), Geoff Doyle (31), Alan Chellew (17), wicket keeper Rob Lloyd (17) and Tim Sergent
(12). Wicket takers for Wales were Paul Murphy 3-0-18-2, Leighton O'Connor 9-0-37-2, Huw Rogers 10-2-24-1, Chris Hudson 10-2-54-1 & Roy Emmott 10-2-32-1
In reply Wales made a great start scoring 79 off 21 overs for the loss of 1 wicket, but they then slumped to 90-5 off 24 and hopes of an Ashes victory looked a long way off. Paul Donovan (28), Paul Murphy (22), John Jones (26) and Adrian Webber (10) making valuable contributions.
The Wales lower order dug deep with Lee Williams batting brilliantly and dispatching the bad ball to the boundary.
With 10 overs to go Wales were on 154-7 needing 48 runs for victory. Two further wickets fell, with Lee Williams falling for 62 off 76 balls (12x4 and 1x6) & Chris Hudson 10, and with 4 overs to go Wales still required 26 runs to win.
With the final pair of Steve Powell & John Berry at the crease just one run came off the 47th over, six off the 48th over and the tension was mounting as was the required run rate with 19 runs needed off the last 2 overs.
The 49th over started with a single to Berry, followed by a single for Powell, a leg bye, a dot, two runs to Powell and a further dot ball so five runs scored and moving in to the final over 14 runs were required. Berry on strike and facing the Australia captain Paul Stenhouse.
Two leg byes off the first ball, was followed by a dot ball - ten required off 3 balls. The next ball bowled by Stenhouse was hit straight back over the bowler's head by Berry for 6, four needed off 2 balls.
The 5th ball saw the batsmen scamper through for a leg bye so one ball and one wicket left any one of 3 results was possible (home win, away win & a tie). In came Stenhouse and bang went Powell sending the ball crashing to the boundary for a thrilling 1 wicket win Wales
Steve Powell ended up on 13no, John Berry 10no in a match winning 9th wicket partnership of 27.
After the match Blaenavon Male Voice Choir entertained the two teams and supporters before they ended the day with an after match dinner. Thanks to Peter Hybart & Cricket Wales for their support for the day which will be long remembered by all involved.