Bob Phillips proudly displays his Cricket Australia cap with the all important number 27 on the side.
By David Nagel
WHILE watching Bob Phillips wait for the rain to pass at Casey Fields last week, it’s easy for the mind to wander back and imagine him as a 17-year-old about to start his cricket career at Cranbourne.
“I hope it clears up, I’m so desperate to play today,” Phillips says in an exasperated tone.
It’s not Cranbourne Cricket Club circa 1967, but Casey Fields 2011, and Phillips now 61 from Pakenham, is as enthusiastic as he’s ever been about the game that has helped shape his life.
The reason for Phillips’ refreshed approach is his selection in the Australian Over60s cricket team that was recently selected to take on a touring England side. The number on the side of his cap tells a story that Phillips is proud to elaborate on.
“The cap’s not quite as elaborate as the baggy green but it’s a Cricket Australia cap with the number 27 on the side. It means I’m the 27th player to represent Australia in Over60s cricket,” he says proudly.
Phillips’ journey in the sport started at Cranbourne and then followed his role in the police force for 24 years. He played for Robinvale, Leongatha and Korumburra before settling in Pakenham and starting an association with the Pakenham Upper cricket club.
That bond still exists today, 20 years after it began, with Phillips’ service to the club recognised with Life membership. He still plays the odd game in the lower grades when the Yabbies are short on numbers and still helps out at training.
“Pakenham Upper is the club I call home… I just love the atmosphere up there.”
His career highlights include two premierships, two hat-tricks and two centuries with his best bowling figures a staggering 9/54 for Leongatha.
“I’ve been very lucky to do all those things in cricket,” Phillips says modestly.
His rise to Australian selection in the Over60s started with an invitation to join the Casey/Iona team from a good friend of his, Ron Milnes. A good season saw him selected in the Victorian side for the recent Australian Championships in Armadale where his left arm bowling and left hand batting held him in good stead.
He took 3/3 against New Zealand on day one before taking 2/18 against the ACT on day two. An Australian team was then selected to take on the English in a test match on day three but Phillips returned to Victoria to wait for the southern leg of the tour to take place.
“It’s been a career highlight for me to be involved in all this,” he said.
“You meet so many new friends who are all a similar age, with similar backgrounds, it’s just really good fun. I’ll stay in touch with these blokes, no doubt, we all get along great.”
Unfortunately for Phillips the rain set in at Casey Fields last week and no play was possible, but just like that 17 year-old who started way back in 1967, his enthusiasm for the game remains as strong as ever.
