“We didn’t do much better than the other lot. We were well beaten, but we enjoyed it.” Thus Ray Clarke summed up the England Over-70s tour of Australia which followed hot on the heels of last winter’s Ashes series, which the ‘other lot’ lost 4-0.

The Frensham slow bowler, like the other England veterans, struggled to take wickets on the batsman-friendly Australian wickets, but he was fairly economical and played one doughty innings which helped save England from humiliation in the second one-day test. The tourists slumped to 40-6 on a ‘road’ of a batting track at Geelong Cricket Club in Victoria and Clarke contributed 23 not out as the tailenders helped get the total up to 148-8 in the 50 overs.

“Our top five, all good batsmen, found obscure ways of getting out,” remembered Clarke. “It was hot and humid and I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent and had a job to run more than two. But I felt comfortable out there and hit a few fours. I thought another was going for four and didn’t bother to run. Someone cut it off and I felt a real charlie.”

The I’Anson player featured in four of the five tests, and the one he missed was rained off. Australia won three of the other four and the fourth – switched to a friendly due to the weather – ended in a tie. The home team therefore avenged their defeat in England in 2016. Battle will resume this summer when Australia Over-70s again test themselves in English conditions.

More than half the 2018 Australian players were members of the squad beaten in England. “But they just seemed fitter and played better than us,” said Ray. “The heat and humidity may have been a factor – they were certainly much more at home on the wickets.”

The scourge of the England bowlers was Ian Petherick who made consecutive scores of 86 not out, 74 not out and 117 not out. “He was a class act and a very nice guy. We never got him out on the tour. But I’d got him out twice in England,” added Clarke.

Petherick apparently told Clarke he was nowhere near the same bowler on Australian wickets as he had been in England. “He wasn’t being rude, he was just stating a fact.”

Petherick’s batting was the difference between the sides in Adelaide, Australia winning the first Test by just 14 runs (Clarke 0-42 in 9 overs).

Despite Clarke’s rearguard innings, Australia romped home by nine wickets in the second test and the third lasted only 18 overs before rain ended play. The fourth test turned into a 30-overs runabout due to a wet outfield. England, needing three to win off the last ball, managed only two and the game was tied.

The flagship fifth test at Sandgate Cricket Club was dominated by Petherick’s superb century and Australia won by a thumping 175 runs (Clarke 0-54 in 8 overs).

The tourists did much better in the state matches, losing only once when they were still jetlagged, but were disappointed when the day-night fixture in Queensland was rained off without a ball being bowled.

Ray, who was accompanied by his wife, Lorna, was impressed by the professionalism and efficient organisation behind the tour. “We thought, because of the size of the country and the long journeys involved, that we’d be playing different players in each test, but the Australians travelled around and used only 13 players, and often stayed in the same hotels.”

The Clarkes had some memorable outings and were reunited with John Daddo, a one-time Churt CC batsman and Frensham CC tourist, and also a cousin from childhood days.

But the cricket was taken very seriously. “Nets on our days off and nets on rest days because we weren’t doing too well. But it was good to be treated like proper cricketers.

“The Aussies were good company, very relaxed, and there was no mickey-taking. The spectators were very complimentary and impressed to see 70-year-old guys trying to play decent cricket.”

Ray Clarke hopes to be involved when the Australians return this summer. For now, he is enjoying a short break before the start of the I’Anson season later this month.