Steven will be wearing the green and gold when he gets to Karachi for the Global Cricket Cup. Photo supplied
Tintenbar-East Ballina cricketer Steven Leahy has been selected to play for the Australian over 40s team to play at the inaugural World Cup, for the age group, in Pakistan next month.
Steven had no expectation at all that he would make the side.
‘It was never on my radar,’ he said. ‘Its all about being in the right place, at the right time’.
After playing in the local first-grade competition last year, Steven, who has only recently turned 41, was selected for the NSW over 40s side, but didn’t make the cut for the Australian side that toured New Zealand.
Again he failed to make the side when he couldn’t try out earlier this year as he had a broken ankle. But after that things fell into place.
‘It was luck and fate, as other players couldn’t make the tour,’ he said.
The trip will see him spend almost three weeks in Pakistan where he will play 11 games over 17 days, including trials and Global Cricket Cup tournament games.
As an opening swing bowler he hasn’t been able to garner much intel on the playing surfaces, or how his swing technique will fare in the unfamiliar conditions.
‘All I have really heard is that there is very little bounce on sub-continental and Indian pitches. That will probably suit me,’ he said. ‘We’ll see how it goes’.
The tour is largely self-funded he said.
The over 40s is a new age group for veterans cricket, that includes over 50s, 60s and 70s.
Steve is the first local to be play in this national side.
Archetype.