Cricket master returns with bronze

Local cricketer Mason Robinson and the New Zealand over-50s cricket squad have returned from the World Cup with bronze medals around their neck.

The wicketkeeper says while he’s coming to grips with losing the semi-final, there were still highlights.

“I had some good stumpings and a 78 against Canada with a run-a-ball stuff.

“We did beat Australia as well, which was good.”

The games were tight, with their Trans-Tasman rivals missing out on their place in the playoffs with some losses that went down to the wire.

Mason says the level of play in the masters-aged cricket scene has continued to grow at a rapid pace.

The games were highly competitive and exciting, with so many skilled players coming through the ranks and aging in.

“Our team stepped up in terms of quality. There’s such quality players, the next time, it’s going to be really interesting.”

Mason says he considers himself lucky every time he gets to strip up in the silver fern and represent his country.

The team played nine games across the two-week tournament in South Africa, with Mason saying it was unfortunate not to make the final.

“I lost eight kilograms going into the tournament.

“I’m not giving up. There’s got to be young 50-year-olds coming through, but the top spot is something I strive to hold.”

With the game played at Cape Town’s Newlands Cricket Grounds, he was hoping to be able to play on the famous turf.

He says their third-place playoff against the USA was an exciting game and a great way to end the tournament.

They won by one wicket on the penultimate ball of the game, capping off a long campaign for the team.

The trip also doubled as an excuse for a holiday, with Mason and his wife, Kendall, travelling Africa after the tournament.

One highlight was bowling some deliveries in the middle of the Kalahari Desert with his teammate, friend and travelling partner Andrew Nuttall.