Norcross cricket stalwart Stephen Perkins adds youth to Lancashire Over-60s

Stephen Perkins is grinning from ear to ear over his Red Rose call-up

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The Norcross Cricket Club spinner has been selected to make his Lancashire Over-60s debut against Cheshire on Thursday.

Though strictly speaking under-age at 59, an exception has been made for ‘Perkie’ ahead of this one-off game in a Covid-hit season as the county side prepares for its return to regular fixtures next year.

And civil servant Stephen, a former captain of Lytham Cricket Club, was only too happy to add a little youthful exuberance to this veterans’ team.

He told The Gazette: “I’m delighted with the call-up and I can’t wait.

“In a normal season, the Lancashire Under-60s can play up to 16 games.

“I have a cousin who played vets’ cricket and ended up being chosen for an Ashes tour last Christmas. I wouldn’t mind a bit of that.”

When Stephen moved to Norcross six years ago he didn’t expect it would open doors to county cricket but he has enjoyed his time at the club hugely.

“It was a big decision after playing for Lytham most of my life,” he explained, “but I knew the Norcross chairman Ian Davies and it’s a big ground, which suits my slow bowling.

“Norcross has some of the nicest people you’ll meet and I’d never won a player of the year award before I came here.

“Ian lives and breathes cricket, and his wife makes the best teas on the Fylde coast.”

Stephen has had his health issues, but thanks to a successful cataract operation he has been able to help out as a delivery driver for a food bank during lockdown.

He has also been able to return to his best on the cricket field.

“Before the operation I did have problems with my bowling.

“I would sometimes set off in the wrong direction on my run-up and the players would take the mickey out of me,” he revealed.

“The eyes are fine now but I do have arthritis in my hips. But that’s in check, and I just love playing and being involved.”

And like all other cricketers on the Fylde coast, Stephen has enjoyed the return to action over the past two months after the Northern League and Palace Shield joined forces to organise a 40-over competition.

“We got to play at St Annes last month and the hospitality was great,” Stephen says. “To be ableto go for a drink again after the game was smashing.”