Australian Archie is making his mark

June 19, 2024

BOTH club and county are benefiting from the presence of an overseas visitor this season.

Former Australia Over-60s captain Archie Dudderidge, who lives in Melbourne in Victoria, is playing for Sudbury 2nd XI and Suffolk Over-60s this summer.

The visit came about through Archie meeting Suffolk Cricket’s Commercial Manager Colin Walters while he was managing the Rest of the World Over-60s side.

He first met Colin two years ago whilst playing for Australia Over-60s in the World Cup in Maroochydore in Queensland.

Archie (pictured above) said they got on well and met each other the following year at another tournament, and after Archie didn’t get selected for the Australian squad for the World Cup in Chennai in India earlier this year, Colin got in touch.

Archie said: “Colin asked me to coach the Rest of the World side at the tournament. I arrived not knowing one person in the squad, but came home with 14 friends for life!”

That led to Colin offering Archie, who will be 65 next month, the opportunity to spend the summer in Suffolk.

Archie arrived in England in mid-April with his partner Helen, who was born in Kent but has not been back to this country for 50 years. They have been staying in Sudbury.

They will be living in England until the end of September, before returning home so that Archie can take part in the national Over-60s Championship in Australia.

Archie, who is a No.3 bat and off-spin bowler, used to keep wicket until he was in his late thirties.

He said: “I have mainly been keeping wicket since I arrived as I love a challenge every now and again!”

Archie, who is a cousin to former Surrey and England all-rounder Adam Hollioake, said of his time in Suffolk so far: “I am loving it, although the weather has been frustrating.

“Our accommodation is only 100 yards from the Sudbury Cricket Club ground and the town of Sudbury is lovely,” he added.

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