Suffolk cricketers aim to lift over-40s World Cup for England

Chris Swallow (left) and Justin Bishop will both be representing England at the over-40s World Cup

Two cricketers from Suffolk who have played together for almost 30 years will attempt to help win the over-40s World Cup for England in South Africa.

Chris Swallow and Justin Bishop, both 42, began playing together when they were 12 years old and now team up on the biggest stage of their careers.

"'Bish' has a video of us batting together at under-13s on a camcorder," Swallow told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"We've played so much cricket with and against each other over the years."

He added: "The more you play and the more you realise the level you're at, you think it'll never happen, so to get this opportunity is massive."

Swallow is an all-rounder who still plays in the East Anglia Premier League for Copdock & Old Ipswichian. He will captain England's 16-man squad, with the team opening their campaign against Zimbabwe on Monday in Cape Town.

Swallow and Bishop both played for Suffolk for over a decade and were part of the side who won the Minor Counties Trophy at Lord's in 2007.

"Lord's with Suffolk will always be the highlight of my career," Swallow said. "I've been lucky enough to play some decent MCC cricket against some international sides and I've skippered at that level and it something I've always enjoyed.

"The thought of potentially captaining England in a World Cup final is really exciting."

Former England Test batter Nick Compton and ex-Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens are also in the squad along with Bishop, who played 25 first-class matches and 23 List A games for Essex from 1999 to 2005.

Former Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens is also part of the squad

"I stopped playing for a little bit when I had children but since playing again, you want to play at the highest standard you possibly can and this will certainly be the best standard I've played at," Bishop said.

"What makes it sweeter is I'm going out there with a few lads I know already and played with or against at minor counties or league level.

"When Chris was offered the captaincy everyone was over the moon. What you get with him is off-field knowledge and organisation as well, which is crucial because there are guys at the stage of their life with their work and families where time is at a premium."

England will play five matches in pool A against Australia, Canada, Namibia, USA and Zimbabwe, with the top two teams in pools A and B reaching the semi-finals.

The tournament features a sprinkling of former internationals, with Ashwell Prince playing for South Africa, the Marshall brothers, Hamish and James, representing New Zealand, and Wasim Jaffer for India. But the majority of players in the tournament will be tasting international cricket for the first time.

Players have funded their own trips and many have taken leave from their jobs to play. Swallow is stepping away from running his own marketing company and Bishop is taking an extended half-term from his teaching job at Abbeygate Sixth Form College in Bury St Edmond's.

"Being over 40, you never thought this opportunity would come about," Swallow said.

"It's amazing commitment from the lads to find the money to do it. We do have a major sponsor on board and some kit has been provided for us.

"I've got close ties with Ipswich School and they have been fantastic to let us use their facilities to practise. The director of cricket Nicky Boje, who played for South Africa, has been really handy to speak to as well. And Andre Nel, another former South Africa international, is coming out with us as bowling coach.

"We know we're not as young as our minds think we are, so a bit of smart thinking about when to rest people is going to be crucial.

"But it feels surreal. We've been talking about it since May last year and now we're finally going."