Members of Mermaids: Mylor and Flushing WI were delighted to host a lively, informal and interactive evening with Chris ‘Chilly’ Old, former first class cricketer who played for Yorkshire, Warwickshire and England. He is the husband of Letitia, one of the members of Mermaids: Mylor and Flushing WI, and kindly entertained cricket enthusiasts as well as those in the group who had little cricket knowledge.
The event, held in the Ord Statter Pavilion at Mylor Bridge, was was in aid of the WI’s charitable fund for defibrillator equipment for the local primary schools in Mylor and Flushing, and members were delighted the evening raised £318 in total.
Born and bred in the strong cricketing county of Yorkshire, Chris was the youngest in a sporting family of three talented sons. He showed natural talent and promise at a very early age, spurred on by sibling rivalry, particularly with his eldest brother Alan. Playing from a very early age with the family, who were all heavily involved with local cricket, he soon found himself Captain of Durham U15 s for three years, then playing for North of England and England schools and Middlesbrough 1st X1 before being spotted by coaches and recommended to Yorkshire CCC where he played his first match for the 2nd X1 aged 15 as a left handed batsman. His debut for the 1st team was in 1966 when he was 17 playing against Hampshire, which began his first class career lasting 20 years, being called up for England in 1970.
He went on to become a right handed fast medium bowler, capitalising on his 6ft 3in height, and was lucky enough to be mentored by Fred Trueman from whom he took over when Fred retired, partnering Tony Nicholson as an opening bowler.
Chris went on to tell the group more about his time playing test cricket and one-day internationals for England with entertaining anecdotes about his international travels and experiences rubbing shoulders with many of the cricketing greats such as Underwood, Willis, Greig, Botham and Brierley; Australians Rodney Marsh, Graham Lillee, and Greg Chappell; Gary Sobers of the West Indies; and Gavaskar of India.
His first tour in 1972/3 to India, Ceylon and Pakistan was an eye-opening, fascinating and brilliant time, giving him a taste for Indian food and the start of a wonderful cricketing life touring the world. He was one of only four cricketers to play in both centenary tests against Australia in 1977 and 1980. The first celebratory centenary match in Melbourne had the Queen and 90,00 spectators watching them bowl Australia out on the first day.
Chris has spent some time within the schools since moving locally, and commented on the keenness and enthusiasm he found amongst the youngsters which needs to be funded and supported in senior schools and grass root clubs by appropriate bodies to provide ongoing strength in depth in English cricket.
During the refreshment interval, the audience had an opportunity to see the varied memorabilia Chris brought with him including his England cap, blazers, pictures and trophies. This was followed by a lively wide ranging question and answer session.
Mermaids: Mylor and Flushing WI give their thanks to Chris for a very enjoyable evening in aid of a good cause.