Harry Solomons stars in Over 70s World Cup-by Johnny De Silva

”You just cannot keep this bloke down … can you?”

Representing Sri Lanka in the Over 70s Cricket World Cup being played in the UK, Harry knocked up a great 78 in 134 balls playing against the usual team he represents in Seniors Cricket – Australia. I was fortunate enough to see Harry’s innings in the dead of night via social media. Australia remains the only team that has won all their matches so far.

For his effort Harry received the Player of the Match award. WELL DONE HARRY.

Australia was eventually beaten by England in the ‘Grand Final’, the only match that they lost in the tournament!!

A NOTE by Michael Roberts, 6 October 2024

Harry Solomons was a junior boarder in the 1950s when I was at St. Aloysius College in Galle. His absorbing interest in cricket THEN was such that he used to carry a little bat with him during intervals and playtime. We called him ‘Hassett” — after Lindsay Hassett, one of the leading Australian batsmen in his day. Reason = a certain similarity in aquiline features.

Hassett at the Colombo Oval in 1953

Little did we know, then, that Harry would move to Sydney and become a dinky-die Aussie cricketer …leading from the front in a boundless energy that belies his years.

Stay grounded, mate …. and do continue with your straight and spritely bat.