He may not have made the Black Caps but local cricketer Mike O’Connor says being selected for the New Zealand Over 60 cricket team is the next best thing.

The 62-year-old, who plays for the Luggate-Albion Cricket Club, was named in the team last week and he says he is “absolutely rapt”.

“I didn’t think it would take me until 62 to play for New Zealand,” he said.

“It was something that I’ve always dreamt of.”

Mike said cricket has been a big part of his life so when he was selected for the Otago Over 60s team his dream of playing for New Zealand took on a new lease of life. 

“I made the Otago Over 60s side and the aim then was to have a crack, so I got pretty fit last year, attended a lot more trainings, and I’ve had great support from the club,” he said. 

“I did well in a match against Canterbury which was a bit of a trial match.”

Mike will travel with the New Zealand team to Australia in November to compete in their national Over 60s championship with matches against teams from the Australian states and territories.

In an interview on Radio Wānaka on Saturday (July 23) morning Mike said the tournament will be highly competitive.

“Nobody plays it to lose,” he said.

“We’ve got five games in six days - five forty-over matches. You may get a rest for one, but towards the end of the five days, guys break down. It’s pretty hard work.”

In 2009 Mike received a centenary medal from the International Cricket Council in recognition of his voluntary service to cricket.

The Over 60s National Championships will be held in the Barwon region of Victoria, Australia, between November 27 and December 1, 2022.

PHOTO: Wānaka App