Veteran cricketer declares at 85 years old

Wicketkeeper Gerald Cooke (centre) said it was time to hang up the gloves at the age of 85

A cricketer who only started playing competitively after stepping in for his injured son has retired from the game 38 years later, at the age of 85.

Gerald Cooke, who has played for Eaton, Old Catton and Norfolk Seniors, has taken 113 catches as a wicketkeeper, carried out 72 stumpings and lost one tooth during his career.

After hanging up his gloves, he said his free weekends would allow him to give his wife "a little bit more attention than I have been doing".

Mr Cooke said he hoped others would consider playing sport, whatever their age.

Wicketkeeper Gerald Cooke (left) playing in an over-70s match against an Australian side at Old Buckenham, in August 2013

Despite having hard balls flying at him week-after-week, Mr Cooke said he only ever received one injury, while batting.

"It was the last ball of the innings and I thought, well, I'll go down the wicket and try and hit it and get a few more runs," he said.

"But instead of that, the bowler bowled it even shorter and it hit the side of the bat and went straight into my mouth and knocked one of my teeth out.

"I was fortunate we had a dentist in the team and we found the tooth whole in the grass.

"We cleaned it and put it back, and it's still there."

Gerald Cooke said while it was important to wear a helmet, he did not like wearing them

Mr Cook said the highlight of his career included playing for Norfolk against an Australian senior touring team in 2013, 2015 and 2016.

He said he decided to stop playing now because of the need to wear a helmet.

"I don't like wearing a hat, helmet, and that's getting more and more important these days to wear," he said.

"My eyesight and obviously fitness isn't what it was sort of 10-15 years ago, but I'm pretty fit.

"But I thought now is about the right time to do that and I can go and support the team as a spectator, and take my wife out once or twice a year on a Sunday afternoon in the sunshine.

"We've been married 60 years now, and I think I ought to give her a little bit more attention than I have been doing."