Harold embarrased about attention

QUERY Harold Stapleton about his cricketing career and he admits to being embarrassed by the attention. However, ask for his thoughts on the current state of the game, such as the burgeoning popularity of the Twenty20 format and he’s far more excitable. “The young people like the Twenty20 because it’s a pepped up version of the game,” the 95-year-old said. “I think it’s here to stay due to the entertainment factor. It’s a far cry from the traditional game, but that’s what the masses want now.” Tarrawanna resident Stapleton is currently the oldest living individual to have represented NSW at Sheffield Shield level. He was born in Kyogle in 1915, before moving to Gwyneville in 1938, represented St George in first grade in the Sydney Grade Cricket competition, bowling in tandem with future Australian fast bowling legend Ray Lindwall on many occasions. The left-arm medium pace-bowling all-rounder played just one first-class game with NSW – against South Australia in Adelaide during the 1940-41 season – before his career was interrupted by World War II. He took two catches in the match but scored just one run and was unable to snare a wicket. While claiming to have been a mere “fill-in” because of many other players being unavailable due to military duty, after leaving the armed services in 1946 Stapleton enjoyed an impressive career with the Keira club from 1947-48 until retirement from the game in 1955. “I was probably only a fill-in and I didn’t get to play any more matches for NSW,” he said. “It’s an honour to be considered a representative of NSW though. I don’t know what might have happened if it hadn’t been for the war.” Stapleton admitted he was still an avid supporter of the game and while he doesn’t get to a match very often, he was excited to be in attendance at last week’s Ford Ranger Cup match between NSW and South Australia at Wollongong’s North Dalton Park. While preferring the endurance and mental challenges inherent within Test match cricket, Stapleton said he understood that the game needed to progress as new generations discovered it. “I think anyone my age would naturally be a traditionalist but there has to be change,” he said. “The one-day internationals and Twenty20 have kept the game rolling along and you have to accept that.” Stapleton particularly enjoyed big-hitting NSW batsman David Warner’s powerhouse innings of 65 from 40 balls at the Australia Day fixture. “He’s an excitement machine,” Stapleton said. “Like any of the top players, you appreciate their ability.”