While most cricket fans have their sights set on watching the Ashes decider at The Oval next week, Dereham player Ian Battelley (pictured) is preparing for a face to face confrontation with the Australians.

While most cricket fans have their sights set on watching the Ashes decider at The Oval next week, Dereham player Ian Battelley (pictured) is preparing for a face to face confrontation with the Australians.

Battelley has been named in the England Over-60s team to play their Australian counterparts at Sheffield United Cricket Club on Sunday, the first of two matches between the sides.

The 65-year-old all-rounder represented Norfolk throughout the 1970s and early 1980s and played for the county against Middlesex at Lord's in the Gillette Cup in 1970, scoring 29 against a bowling attack which included England spinner Fred Titmus. Battelley still plays regularly for Dereham's second XI and has struck two half-centuries in Norfolk Alliance Division Four this season.

He earned his call-up with some impressive performances for Norfolk Over-60s in the Spitfire O60s Championship, from where the England teams for the two matches have been selected.