WILTSHIRE’S over 60s team proved the perfect hosts all over again when they welcomed their touring Australian counterparts back to the county this week.

The Wiltshire senior team took on Australia at Trowbridge back in 2012 and on Monday, the experienced Aussies were back again as they played the county in a 45-over showpiece at Goatacre.

The visitors, who will be running out against a host of British counties before four clashes with the England over 60s this summer, batted first at Goatacre Lane.

The match rules decreed that batsmen reaching 50 would retire from the crease and three Australians – Dave Cordy, John Stackpoole and Graham McIlwain – reached the maximum total as the tourists posted 238.

In reply, Wiltshire’s Tim Mynott made 50, whilst Ian Swain hit 28 and John Williams put together a belligerent 20 at number 11 before the hosts were dismissed for 168.

County over 60s secretary Geoff Halls, who umpired on the day, paid tribute to a day to remember for the county senior team.

“Our fixtures secretary, Gwyn Blenkinsop, has a few contacts and he’s the one that really got us the fixture - we hosted Australia a few years ago and it was fantastic to have them again,” he said.

“Tim Mynott and Tim Nicholls (captain) presented them with mementos to remember the match and Goatacre were great hosts on the day too.”