By Nick Creely
Social cricket is taking off in Australia, and Dandenong’s very own competitive team is making waves and creating opportunities for older cricketers.
Last Man Stands is a social Twenty20 cricket competition, which is played by over 90,000 players worldwide.
It was founded back in 2005 in London, and has grown legs in providing an easier way for eager cricketers who are passionate about the game to take part in competitive cricket.
The competition is a modified version of Twenty20 cricket which has differing rules to conventional cricket, such as it features only eight players per side and requires the last batsman remaining to stay in until they are dismissed.
The Dandenong competition will begin on 24 October at Greaves Reserve, Dandenong, which still has several spots available.
Last Man Stands caters to participants 25 years and older, with an aim at appealing to cricketers who perhaps don’t have the time to commit to Saturday cricket and training.
Last year’s Dandenong team, ‘The Greenbacks’, were a raging success, making it to the semi-final of the Champions League for Victoria’s best teams last summer.
Although missing out on making the finals, the team will be aiming to go one step further this coming season.
Winner of the Champions League will receive sponsored entry to the Australian Championships on the Gold Coast each year, with an eventual winner from that competition receiving prizemoney to go to the World Championships, which this season will be held in Cape Town, South Africa.
Each year, this world championship is held in different countries, and The Greenbacks will be hoping it is their time to shine.
If anyone is interested in taking part in this social cricket competition, visit www.lastmanstands.com or visit their Facebook page www.facebook.com/LastManStandsMelbourne.
