Howzat … Sunshine United Cricket Club’s Bill Blair, pictured with his kids William and Jessica, celebrated his second career 10 wicket haul last weekend. 60357 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Belinda Nolan
And at 48 years of age, the Sunshine United Cricket Club bowler can still show his young team mates a trick or two.
Mr Blair was celebrating a stunning personal victory after snaring 10 wickets in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association north division last weekend.
It may be a rare achievement for most but it’s the second time lucky for Mr Blair who also claimed 10 wickets in an innings last season.
“I was not expecting it at all,” Mr Blair told Star.
“I was lucky enough to do it once but I never dreamed I could do it twice. It’s quite bizarre.”
Incredibly, Mr Blair does not spend countless hours honing his bowling technique, preferring to focus on boosting his overall fitness.
“I’ve actually been cutting down my bowling stints at training,” he said.
“I mostly concentrate on my fitness. I’ve always trained hard and that’s probably what’s prolonged my career.”
The veteran bowler celebrated the milestone with his nine-year-old son during an emotional moment which brought tears to spectators’ eyes.
“I was rapt because he was there with me.
“He was so excited and kept yelling out encouragement to me during the match.
“At the end of it, he ran out and jumped into my arms and said ‘Dad I’m so proud of you’ and that made me really happy.”
Club President Henry Popinski said he was thrilled with Mr Blair’s stunning performance.
“It’s quite a rare achievement, especially for someone at his age and to do it twice is just outstanding,” Mr Popinski said.
