FORMER Australia and Gloucestershire all-rounder Ian Harvey has made his debut in Bristol club cricket ... for Bedminster 5ths!
The 40-year-old has graced some of the finest grounds in the world, from Lord's to Cape Town and the MCG. And to that list he can now add the modest surroundings of Ashton Park School where he played a full role in securing a five-wicket win over Bradley Stoke 4ths in the lowest division in the entire Bristol & District competitive structure.
Bristol-based Harvey is a regular visitor to Bedminster, where his young son is learning to play.
And he was persuaded to help make up the numbers for the 5ths as captain Chris Giles was desperately searching for players the night before the game.
Harvey responded by holding on to a catch, completing a run-out with a left-arm throw (he's right handed) and hitting 43 before skying a catch.
That dismissal will not be forgotten by the Onslow family in a hurry as Harvey was held by father Tim off the bowling of 13-year-old son Owen.
Harvey did not have everything all his own way as six overs of spin earlier failed to produce a wicket, while he was also outscored by fellow opener Ian Jones, who went on to finish with an unbeaten 67.
Giles said: "To be on the same pitch as Ian was an absolute privilege. He was a real gentleman and great with all the young lads who were playing.
"I'm sure he could have taken five wickets in six balls if he had really wanted to.
"But he was happy to toss the ball up, gave some of the Bradley Stoke bowlers little pointers during the drinks break and even took his turn out in the middle umpiring!"
Just 48 hours earlier, Harvey had hit 70 for the star-studded Lashings guest side in a match against Bedminster to celebrate 100 years of cricket at The Clanage.
Whether he will become a regular for one of Bristol's most famous club sides remains to be seen. Giles added: "He's busy with his TV commitments for Sky and is soon off back to Australia for a holiday but we would love to have him in the team again."
Bristol & District clubs are being urged to attend an open forum on August 14 at the County Ground (7pm) to discuss potential changes to the structure of league cricket in the area.
Steve Silk, the cricket development manager of the Gloucestershire Cricket Board, is a member of a six-man working party consulting with clubs and leagues throughout Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire .
And he will be making a presentation at the Bristol meeting ahead of answering any questions from the floor regarding possible restructuring which could be implemented as soon as the 2014 season.
Trevor Crouch, the chairman of the B & D, stressed that no model structure has been drawn up to await implementation, and he welcomes the attendance of clubs to express their views on the future direction of league cricket.
Calum Mason eased to his first century in senior cricket with an unbeaten 100 off 103 deliveries as Bishopston 3rds edged their Stapleton counterparts in the Bristol & District's Second XI League.
The 15-year-old hit ten fours and a six, and shared a stand of 167 for the fourth wicket with skipper Dave Willett whose 109 (retired) featured 17 fours and one maximum from 83 balls.
Bish piled up 292-4 before Stapleton replied with 140 all out, Will Hepburn claiming 3-18 from eight.
Rowan Coombs, of Chew Magna, took 5-42 as the Bristol & District eased to a 91-run win in a special game to celebrate Lodway's 145th anniversary. Top-scorers in the rep team's 187-9 were Chew's Stuart Watson (53) and Twyford House captain Dominic Blake (37) while Richard 'Reggie' Williams, making a welcome return for Lodway, had a wicketkeeping 'five-for' – three catches and two stumpings.
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