Kent’s over-70s set to face Australian counterparts at county’s Spitfire Ground in Canterbury this weekend

Captain Keith Millen admits Kent’s over-70s are “over the moon” at the prospect of facing their Australian counterparts at the county’s Spitfire Ground.

The game recognises the success of the Kent side who were last season’s winners of the National over-70s County Championship and their team will include current and past England seniors’ players.

Kent’s over-70s will aim to even the honours in Canterbury tomorrow, after the defeat of the Kent over-60s side to the Australian Test XI at Gravesend’s Bat and Ball ground earlier this month.

Millen said: “Like me, the Kent and Australian players are over the moon that Kent Cricket offered to host this game and, hopefully, both sides will measure up to the occasion.

“Kent Seniors players, umpires and scorers are representatives of well over 100 cricket clubs from around the county, many of whom have been - or are - the bedrock of Kent club cricket.”

One player in the Kent line-up who will particularly relish the match is Derek Moore.

His daughter, Kalea, plays for Kent Women, South East Stars and Southern Brave and his son, Duncan, is a Kent Academy scholar.

Chris Swadkin, chairman of The National County over-60s/over-70s Championship, said “Obviously, club cricket can’t always accommodate older players who want to continue playing competitive cricket, so this is why ‘The Championship’ continues to grow year-on-year - both at home and internationally.

“You don’t stop playing cricket when you get old, you get old when you stop playing.”

The match begins from 1pm and supporters are welcome.

The ground opens at 11am, with entry and parking free.