Childhood dream realised at age 35

BACK TO SCHOOL: Ajay Kumar, aged 35, is playing for Poverty Bay in the Northerrn Districts secondary schoolboys cricket tournament in Gisborne. Picture by Paul Rickard

Cricket dreams are not the preserve of the young.

Thirty-five-year-old father of two Ajay Kumar thought he would need a time machine to fulfil his hopes of playing age-group representative cricket.

But yesterday that dream was realised when the Perfect Roast takeaway bar owner, turned out for the Poverty Bay team in the Northern Districts senior secondary schoolboys tournament here yesterday.

The native of Talwandi Bhai in India is one of four older local players permitted to play for the home team due to lack of playing numbers and availability.

'It was a great feeling,' said Kumar of yesterday's experience.

'It was fantastic to play for this team. 'Everyone wanted to contribute, they're great teammates

'I'd like to thank Poverty Bay for this opportunity and Northern Districts for letting me play — letting me live my dreams.

'I've loved cricket since I was six years old.'

In twenty20 games yesterday, Kumar took 2-25 off four overs against Bay of Plenty Coastlands on the artificial wicket at Nelson Park and 1-21 off three overs versus Counties-Manukau.