Tom Kellett made his return to cricket "about eight years ago" and more often than not you'd find him at the top of the order.
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But, when Tamworth clash with Quirindi in the annual Seniors Week clash on Friday you won't see Kellett taking the shine off the new ball.
The Tamworth Veterans Cricket member hasn't done it for over 18 months - and for good reason.
Almost two years ago, Tom Kellett woke up with a "massive headache".
A few days later, he went to the doctor after the headaches persisted.
"He said I better have some scans," Kellett, 68, recalled.
"I went to Castlereagh [Imaging] and they moved me from one room to another then told me I can't drive and I had to go back to the doctors that afternoon.
"I had a 40mm bleed across the front of my head. The doctor called it a substantial stroke."
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Luckily, there wasn't much damage done and Kellett was prescribed some medication and told to rest up.
"I basically couldn't do anything for a month," Kellett said.
Cricket season had come to an end by that point so it was another four to five months before Kellett strapped the pads back on.
The return was at an over 60s carnival in Maitland where Kellett "batted like a drunken sailor" and returned covered in bruises.
"I went back to the doctor and he said I could play but to get away from opening the batting," Kellett said.
Kellett heeded that advice and finds himself down the order now.
He's also in good health and back to normal. Though, he is wary to not get any knocks on the head.
"I still play. I still drive and do everything at home. But I think I've been banned from climbing too many ladders," he said.
The Tamworth Vets have a busy schedule ahead starting with the Seniors Week clash on Friday when the 65s side takes on Quirindi.
Tamworth has been playing the annual match - against Gunnedah and now Quirindi - for 30 years and it is thought to be the oldest seniors annual fixture in NSW.
Kellett will be one player who will take part in Friday's game and will also suit up at the end of the month for Tamworth at the over 70s State Championships.
"They made a new rule that if you turn 69 this year, you can play in the 70s championships," he said.
"I'm the baby at 68 and our oldest is 91 - Doug Crowell."
Crowell will also be playing on Friday evening and has been named captain for the clash which starts at 4.30pm.
Tamworth Vets Schedule
Feb 5: 65s play Quirindi at No 1 Oval
Feb 7: 50s play Narrabri in Gunnedah
Feb 14: 50s play Macquarie in Coonabarabran
Feb 14: 60s play Armidale in Armidale
Feb 15-16: 65s play two-day carnival in Newcastle
Feb 19: 60s play Hunter Lord Taverners at No 1 Oval
Feb 26: Tamworth Vets play Tamworth Women in a charity game at No 1 Oval
Feb 28: 70s State Champs start in Port Macquarie
Ben Jaffrey
Ben is a content curator and journalist for The Land. He has been with ACM since 2015 and first worked at The Area News and then at the Northern Daily Leader. Ben first joined ACM Agri as a digital journalist for all seven agricultural mastheads in 2022 before shifting to The Land full-time in 2023.
Ben is a content curator and journalist for The Land. He has been with ACM since 2015 and first worked at The Area News and then at the Northern Daily Leader. Ben first joined ACM Agri as a digital journalist for all seven agricultural mastheads in 2022 before shifting to The Land full-time in 2023.
