By Kevin Redsull

Betteshanger Colliery Welfare CC all-rounder Derek Towe had the thrill of hitting the winning runs for England in their seven-wicket victory over Australia in last Sunday’s Over-70s’ Cricket World Cup final.

The tournament was played over two weeks, mostly at grounds in Buckinghamshire, and featured six other nations in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Wales.

Towe, 71, who lives in Eastry, was England’s vice-captain and had played a key role when they defeated Australia in last summer’s “Silver Ashes” series.

But England knew that the Australian team would be seeking revenge in the World Cup and the hosts’ only defeat in their six group matches came in the clash with Australia on Tuesday, August 6.

So, Towe, who also had the honour of captaining England for the first time in their win over Wales on Thursday, August 8, went into the final in front of a 600-plus crowd at the picturesque Wormsley CC ground expecting another tough contest against them.

Australia skipper Kevin Lanigan won the toss and chose to bat first as they posted 208-8.

England lost a quick wicket in reply but skipper and man-of-the-match John Evans (78) and Duncan Elder (74) set them on the road to victory with a superb second-wicket stand of 161 runs before Towe, coming in at No.4, hit the winning boundary with 10 balls to spare as he finished unbeaten on 20 in England’s total of 212-3.

Towe, who has also played for the Kent Seniors team at over-50, over-60 and over-70 level, said: “It was a truly fantastic tournament to take part in.

“All the matches were played in such a wonderful spirit and members of all the other teams came to watch the final.

“And captaining England in the game against Wales was also another very special moment for me.”