{"id":63175,"date":"2022-02-22T14:33:29","date_gmt":"2022-02-22T14:33:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=63175"},"modified":"2022-02-22T14:49:01","modified_gmt":"2022-02-22T14:49:01","slug":"a-life-devoted-to-cricket-a-journey-from-caerphilly-to-brisbane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2022\/02\/22\/a-life-devoted-to-cricket-a-journey-from-caerphilly-to-brisbane\/","title":{"rendered":"A life devoted to cricket: a journey from Caerphilly to Brisbane"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"jim-watkins-has-played-since-childhood-and-is-now-set-to-play-for-his-country-in-a-world-cup\">Jim Watkins has played since childhood and is now set to play for his country in a World Cup<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A PENTYRCH cricketer has been picked for the Wales squad in the Over 60s Cricket World Cup set for Brisbane, Australia, in September 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tournament will feature sides from Wales, Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Canada, South Africa, India, Zimbabwe and West Indies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was due to be played in 2020, but the pandemic has delayed it. The Welsh team will feature cricketers from across many different clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jim Watkins, 65, of Caerphilly, who worked for the Inland Revenue, has played cricket most of his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI started off playing the game in the backyard when I was seven, my dad made my first bat out of an old railway sleeper,\u201d said Mr Watkins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1969, during his teenage years, and playing for Caerphilly Grammar School, he helped his side to the Cardiff and District schools championship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI just loved the fielding, I used to run around like a dog,\u201d said Mr Watkins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it was during this period he found where he belonged was not out in the field, but behind the stumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mr Watkins said: \u201cThere were a lot of talented people in that side like Alan Lewis, he was the wicketkeeper, but he went away on a Lions rugby tour to South Africa in 1974.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen he no longer played for us, I was thrown this pair of gloves and that was the start of me being a wicketkeeper.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Working at the IRS limited his ability to play cricket but his desire to continue playing was met when a friend who worked nearby invited him to play for a side he was setting up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-watkins-2-575x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63227\" width=\"377\" height=\"671\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-watkins-2-575x1024.jpg 575w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-watkins-2-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-watkins-2-770x1370.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-watkins-2-863x1536.jpg 863w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-watkins-2-293x521.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-watkins-2.jpg 1124w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-watkins-2-575x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63227\" width=\"377\" height=\"671\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-watkins-2-575x1024.jpg 575w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-watkins-2-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-watkins-2-770x1370.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-watkins-2-863x1536.jpg 863w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-watkins-2-293x521.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-watkins-2.jpg 1124w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Jim Watkins after a match. Credit: Jim Watkins. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Formerly called Caerphilly Parish Cricket Club, the revamped Caerphilly Premier Cricket Club was Mr Watkins\u2019 way of playing the game he loved on his weekends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He said: \u201cRather than buy all new kit on it with different initials, he just changed the name to Caerphilly Premier to keep the same kit. It was very club cricket.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After two decades playing for local sides, Jim Watkins was invited to play for Pentyrch Cricket Club in 1992 as they needed a wicketkeeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the next decade, Mr Watkins helped his club to plenty of success in the South Wales Cricket Association leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2001, he helped Pentyrch Cricket Club win the first division of the South Wales CA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe beat them all, even the elite of St Fagans, Cardiff and Usk,\u201d said Mr Watkins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alex Wharf, who went on to play 13 One-Day International matches for England as a fast-bowler, was involved with the Pentyrch CC side at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen I was keeping wicket to Wharfy as he was running in, I thought how am I going to fare here, but I absolutely loved it,\u201d said Mr Watkins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI had found where I wanted to stay, I\u2019m there now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the batting department, he played alongside Matthew Maynard who played for <a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2022\/02\/01\/glamorgan-cricket-gears-up-for-busy-2022-season\/\">Glamorgan<\/a> professionally and was able to get some test caps for England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2005, when Mr Watkins was nearing his 50<sup>th<\/sup> birthday, he and his wife of 24 years, Kim Watkins, had a plan to travel to Australia to visit family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mrs Watkins said: \u201cIf you get injured before we go then that\u2019s your own fault.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In what appeared to be his last season before retiring from the game at 50, Jim Watkins broke his finger during a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe following day was Kim\u2019s birthday, and we spent the whole day in A&amp;E,\u201d said Mr Watkins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nevertheless, this did not scupper their plans and they went off to Australia for three months in early 2006.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During his time in Sydney, Mr Watkins met up with a friend from Pentyrch CC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI was in a bar, and he asked if I wanted to carry on playing and after a few drinks I decided I would go for it,\u201d he said..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, during his 50s, Jim Watkins played for Pentyrch CC seconds and began playing for the Wales over 50s team who played against professional counties\u2019 senior teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During this period  he was also playing for The Forty Club, a nomadic cricket club without a home ground who always play away. In 2015, the Forty Club toured the UAE and Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-elephant-1-788x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63232\" width=\"484\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-elephant-1-788x1024.jpg 788w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-elephant-1-231x300.jpg 231w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-elephant-1-770x1000.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-elephant-1-293x381.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-elephant-1.jpg 979w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 484px) 100vw, 484px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-elephant-1-788x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63232\" width=\"484\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-elephant-1-788x1024.jpg 788w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-elephant-1-231x300.jpg 231w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-elephant-1-770x1000.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-elephant-1-293x381.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/resize-elephant-1.jpg 979w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 484px) 100vw, 484px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Jim Watkins photo of an elephant in Sri Lanka. Credit: Pentyrch Cricket Club 2015 yearbook. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe were off to play 11 cricket games in 17 days and to enjoy the delights of these countries,\u201d wrote Mr Watkins in the 2015 Pentyrch Cricket Club yearbook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This tour saw them playing a floodlit game at the Dubai Sport City stadium which has seen many international matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, they played at the former school of Sri Lankan spin bowling great, Muttiah Muralitharan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3-773x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63237\" width=\"578\" height=\"766\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3-773x1024.jpg 773w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3-226x300.jpg 226w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3-770x1020.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3-370x490.jpg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3-585x775.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3-293x388.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3.jpg 1037w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3-773x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63237\" width=\"578\" height=\"766\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3-773x1024.jpg 773w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3-226x300.jpg 226w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3-770x1020.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3-370x490.jpg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3-585x775.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3-293x388.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Redone-watkins-3.jpg 1037w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Jim Watkins playing at the school in Sri Lanka. Credit: Pentyrch Cricket Club 2015 yearbook<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>At the Forty Club, Mr Watkins also travelled to Barbados in 2017, despite a torn cartilage that put him out of the English summer season that year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, when Mr Watkins was 59 he began playing for the Wales over 60s team as their token youngster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re allowed only one 59-year-old in the over 60s and that was me,\u201d said Mr Watkins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The over 60s team compete against many counties across the country in the seniors\u2019 leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 2016, he has helped the side win two England and Wales Cricket Board National Championships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Watkins-redone-4-575x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63238\" width=\"351\" height=\"625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Watkins-redone-4-575x1024.jpg 575w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Watkins-redone-4-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Watkins-redone-4-770x1370.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Watkins-redone-4-863x1536.jpg 863w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Watkins-redone-4-293x521.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Watkins-redone-4.jpg 1124w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Watkins-redone-4-575x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63238\" width=\"351\" height=\"625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Watkins-redone-4-575x1024.jpg 575w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Watkins-redone-4-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Watkins-redone-4-770x1370.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Watkins-redone-4-863x1536.jpg 863w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Watkins-redone-4-293x521.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Watkins-redone-4.jpg 1124w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Jim Watkins (right). Credit: Pentyrch CC 2015 yearbook.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, Mr Watkins and the rest of the Wales side are aiming to raise funds and seek sponsorship for their trip to Brisbane in September as it all needs to be self-funded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pentyrch Cricket Club secretary Alan Siddall said: \u201cJim has been a member of the club for 30 years and we are all really pleased of what is an amazing achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are all so proud of him and will be supporting him when he\u2019s out there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mr Watkins continues to play for the Pentyrch CC second team and feels too young to retire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;For information on the Wales over 60 team for the World Cup click <a href=\"https:\/\/wales.play-cricket.com\/home\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To sponsor the team for the World Cup, click click <a href=\"https:\/\/wales.play-cricket.com\/Aboutus\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"755\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Wales-over-60s-world-cup-squad.-Credit-Pentyrch-CC-Twitter..jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Wales-over-60s-world-cup-squad.-Credit-Pentyrch-CC-Twitter..jpg 750w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Wales-over-60s-world-cup-squad.-Credit-Pentyrch-CC-Twitter.-298x300.jpg 298w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Wales-over-60s-world-cup-squad.-Credit-Pentyrch-CC-Twitter.-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Wales-over-60s-world-cup-squad.-Credit-Pentyrch-CC-Twitter.-293x295.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"755\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Wales-over-60s-world-cup-squad.-Credit-Pentyrch-CC-Twitter..jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Wales-over-60s-world-cup-squad.-Credit-Pentyrch-CC-Twitter..jpg 750w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Wales-over-60s-world-cup-squad.-Credit-Pentyrch-CC-Twitter.-298x300.jpg 298w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Wales-over-60s-world-cup-squad.-Credit-Pentyrch-CC-Twitter.-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/02\/Wales-over-60s-world-cup-squad.-Credit-Pentyrch-CC-Twitter.-293x295.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>The Wales squad for the over 60s Cricket World Cup. Credit: Pentyrch CC Twitter. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jim Watkins has played since childhood and is now set to play for his country in a World Cup<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":733,"featured_media":63221,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[788,14,4],"tags":[1787,787,7913,7912,219],"coauthors":[7303],"class_list":["post-63175","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cricket","category-longer-reads","category-sport","tag-australia","tag-cricket","tag-jim-watkins","tag-over-60s","tag-world-cup"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>A life devoted to cricket: a journey from Caerphilly to Brisbane - 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