John Stephens amongst the medals, has been a fine crickter for Coota.
Very well-known Cootamundra local and cricketer John Stephens, more commonly known as “Shirl” has been selected to represent Australia in the O55 Veteran’s Cricket.
Shirl has been playing for the NSW Blues veterans for the past four seasons and after impressing with the ball over a long period of time he has earned selection for the highest honour.
Playing his first game as a teenager for Cootamundra, Shirl has been one of the most consistent cricketers Cootamundra has even seen. He has opened the bowling for the Cootamundra Representative team for many years and spent plenty of time opening the batting, the highlight being an unbeaten 70 to win Cootamundra the Country Plate competition in 2016.
More recently, Shirl took his talents to the Wagga Cricket competition, playing for Saint Michaels Cricket Club alongside locals Nathan Corby, David Garness and Brendan Gale. Shirl was the opening bowler for the 2nd Grade side and played 2 first grade games.
This season has seen Shirl return to the Local Cootamundra Cricket side the Cootamundra Bulls and he has taken 8 wickets in the four games he has played. He is currently competing in a veteran’s tournament in Tamworth along with Mark Elia and David Alexander from the Bulls.
On Monday the team won their game by 16 runs with Stephens taking 1-38 off his 8 overs while David Alexander took 1-28 off 8 overs. Round 2 on Tuesday the side went down by 32 runs in a close game. Shirl finished with 1-40, Alexander 1-22 and Mark Elia 1-9.
Speaking to Cootamundra Bulls Captain Josh Purtell, he said that the selection of John Stephens for the Australian Veterans side is just reward for someone who has given the side so much.
“Shirl was playing Rep cricket for Coota when I was first selected as a 16-year-old 18 years ago and would have been there for many years before that and he is one of those players who just loves the game and everything that comes with it.”
“He has a nickname amongst all the Coota Rep Players as “Test Match” because he will bowl a couple of balls a game that would get a test player out no worries.”
“Cootamundra won plenty of Rep games thanks to Shirl’s bowling but I think that 70 not out at Albert Park to win us the Country Plate would be the best memory so far.”
“It’s been great to have him around our local side again this year, he is helping out all the young bowlers and he has a good cricket brain and he has been a great help for myself as captain.”
As John is away in Tamworth for the week playing cricket, Coota times found it hard to get Shirl’s thoughts on the selection, but he posted a message to his social media. “Very Proud and humble to be selected for Australia for the O55s. Proud to Represent my NSW Blues brothers, Riverina and my home town Cootamundra. Look forward to meeting my new brothers and represent”.
The team will play a week long tournament in April, all the team at the Cootamundra Times wishes John Stephens all the best and we look forward to covering more in the future.
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