Neville Tosen, a resident of Avondale Lifestyle Community in Cooranbong, enjoyed a day out at the One Day International cricket match at Sydney Cricket Ground courtesy of his carer, Mitchell Knight.

Neville is a lifetime cricket fan, first seeing the One Day International early last year. For 2018, Neville’s carer Mitchell arranged to drive Neville to the Australia versus England match.

“It was a great day, except that Australia lost,” mused Neville. “Australia did better last year and won against Pakistan.”

As an Adventist Senior Living retirement village resident, Neville is specially entitled to a government funded Adventist Senior Living Home Care package that affords him a little extra support with his daily care and living.

“I normally get around the village on my walker and it wouldn’t be possible for me to enjoy a ‘live’ game on my own. But thanks to Mitchell I had a great day,” said Neville. “And I noticed that he enjoyed the cricket too.”

Neville started playing cricket in his homeland, South Africa, when he was seven. The Doctor had told him to go and play cricket with a tennis ball to relieve his asthma. A spade handle was the wicket in the backyard of their home. “I got pretty good at getting people ‘out,’” he said, “even though there was not the usual three wickets.”

“Cricket is in my blood,” he reported, with obvious enthusiasm for the game.

“As a boy I had a beautiful Doberman that used to retrieve the ball. I hope to meet ‘Rags’ in heaven and maybe we can have another game of cricket,” he said with a chuckle.

“Meantime, I would like to see the Protea’s, (South Africa’s cricket team) beat the Aussies when they play soon. I hope my carer will take me to that game.”