Former Otago cricketer and businessman Paul Facoory was a member of the New Zealand over-70s cricket team, who played in the Veterans World Cup earlier this month in England.
He was joined by former Otago and Auckland pace bowler John Cushen.
While over there they were able to reconnect with former classmate David Worcester after 55 years of not seeing one another.
All three men attended King’s High School, and Mr Facoory said he had not seen much of Mr Worcester since he left to England and found great success.
"It was great to have a catch-up. He worked as a magistrate in England for 15 years, worked for the British High Commission. That’s quite something for an old boy from King’s," he said.
Mr Facoory said it was cricket that brought them back together, Mr Worcester attending their match against India.
"He actually played cricket for King’s as well, so he came to the match, and it was good to have that reunion in England," Mr Facoory said.
"The World Cup provided that conduit for the three of us to meet and get together and talk about old times."
The New Zealand team finished fourth in the standings, but missed a chance to play Wales due to the match being rained out.
Mr Facoory said this was a bit of bad luck.
"We would have definitely come through there. We played well, certainly New Zealand would have been third but unfortunately things didn’t go our way," he said.
Mr Facoory said he was reminded of the importance of cricket during the trip.
"I was amazed at the facilities, I mean cricket really still plays a huge part in people’s daily lives in England.
"I think it does a lot for the social fabric — it helps to bring communities together."
By Gerrit Doppenberg
