TWO cricket veterans are eagerly looking forward to achieving a golden landmark in their careers - 50 seasons in the sport (Roger Fowle writes).

Dave Edmonds, of Leybourne, and Detling’s John O’Nions started playing club cricket in 1954, the year Pakistan toured England and Surrey won the county championship for the third year running.

Edmonds has played for Leybourne since joining them as a 13-year-old Maidstone Grammar School pupil when the ground was adjoined by “orchards and not houses.”

Edmonds, 63 in December, doesn’t turn out as much these days but is determined to get a few matches in this season.

A medium pacer, he took 150 wickets a season in his prime, although that magical 10 wickets in an innings has always eluded him. “I have taken nine a few times, though,” he added. He also boasts hat-tricks.

No mean batsman, Edmonds has scored a number of 50s with a top score of 89.

He moved to Bridge, near Canterbury 20 years ago, but still travels up. He is club president and and has also been captain. His late father Sydney and brother John also played for Leybourne.

Edmonds’ claim to fame is being dismissed by paceman Fred Trueman in 1977.

Wicketkeeper O’Nions, 65 in July, first started playing for the King Street, Maidstone, Oddfellows Cricket Club and kept wicket for Maidstone district under-19 side.

When Detling were short of a keeper a few years ago, he was pressed into service and has performed ever since. He has scored two centuries for Detling and once took 100 wickets in a season.

A Detling stalwart since 1973, he captained the side for nine years. His son Andrew also plays while his wife Ethel scores and helps with the tea.