Australian and New Zealand players to bring Down Under to Newclose

Coming from A Land Down Under, for a few weeks of cricket in England, players from Australia and New Zealand will arrive on the Isle of Wight, next Wednesday.

With Newclose in Newport in their sights, the Kangaroos and Koalas squads, of 33 Aussies and three New Zealanders, will be playing their Castles Tour, taking in Balmoral, Windsor Castle and Bamburgh, among others.

The Island visit, as close as they could be to Carisbrooke Castle, is on June 19, for two 20-20 games.

The veteran cricketers, all aged over 60, will take on IW Over 50s XIs.

Here's the schedule when the Australian and New Zealand players take on the Isle of Wight at Newclose

• 11am to 1.30pm: 1st v IOW Over 50s, captained by Simon Goldsmith

• 1.30pm to 2pm: Lunch

• 2pm to 5.30pm: 2nd v IOW Over 50s

• 6pm to 8pm: Dinner

Derek Braidner, tour manager, said: "Coming to the Isle of Wight is not just about the cricket...how could we not include it on this unique cricket tour?

"This region of England has played a huge part in our own history and we are very excited about playing at this premier ground and I had no hesitation about including it in our list of magnificent grounds we have been invite to play at.”

Many of the tour party have played a lot of high-class cricket at home, said Derek, who  added he has been organising tours like this for 15 years, taking Australian vets teams all around the world, from Hawaii to Japan and Jamaica, as well as the UK.

Nick Heelan, the ECB’s Isle of Wight cricket development manager, said: “We are greatly looking forward to welcoming this Australian touring side and hope to use this to galvanise even further local interest in seniors' cricket, and the many physical, mental and social benefits it can offer.

Huw Griffiths, chair of trustees at Newclose, said: ”The late Brian Gardner, who built this amazing facility, would have been delighted to see it being used for an occasion such as this.”

Entry on the day is free  and the players will meet the Isle of Wight's Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff, from 9.30am.