Testing times for big hitters

Local cricketers Phil Drescher and Gary Madsen have had a busy year representing Australia in games against England.

AS THE Australian cricket season roars into life, the local cricket scene can celebrate a victorious year with two local senior cricketers selected to represent Australia against English teams.
Two cricketers from the Tewantin Noosa Cricket Club have enjoyed a successful year having toured and played in tests throughout the year.
All-rounder Phil Drescher was selected for the Over 60 team to tour the UK in July where he was nicknamed The Axeman by the English players who were often on the wrong end of his big hitting.
Phil’s team won all but one of their matches, defeating England 2-1 in the seniors test matches played as 50-overs-a-side games.
Named man of the match in a number of games, Phil even hit a six that landed outside the ground and bounced into an adjacent pub, upsetting the drinkers.
Gary Madsen was selected to play in the Over 70 team in two tests against the touring English Over 70 team, finishing the season with 252 runs under his belt and an average of just over 60.
The tests went to England 2-1 but there will be a rematch next year when the Australian Over 70 team will tour England.
Gary also played in three additional matches in Queensland and Canberra where he took four wickets with his left arm medium pacers.
The two players are now gearing up for an even more impressive 2016 season.