LOCAL cricket legend Cec Wright was breaking new boundaries again this week as he proved you’re never too old to be a match winner, adding to a long list of accomplishments across a remarkable career spanning seven decades.

The difference this time for renowned bowler Wright, who turned 85 in December, was that the veteran’s latest heroics would come with bat-in-hand.

Not content with hitting a six and taking the match-winning wicket at Thornham two weeks ago, when he arrived at the crease for Uppermill’s 2nd XI with the hosts nine wickets down and needing five runs for victory against Springhead on Saturday, what happened next couldn’t have been better scripted.

Wright (pictured) proved the hero once again, smashing a six to win it at Leefields after Springhead totalled 242/7 in GMCL Division 5 South & East.

He told The Oldham Times: “I might be 85 but I’ve always tried my best to keep playing because I enjoy it. When you mix with younger people, it helps to keep you young as well.

“The way I see it is you’re here today and gone tomorrow so it’s either keep going or fall over in the garden.”

The former Jamaica fast bowler made his first class debut against a Barbados side whose line-up included West Indies legends Wes Hall and Sir Garfield Sobers in 1959. And although he might not have the pace anymore, he proved on Saturday that he can still be quite handy with the bat as well.

“When I was younger, I like to think I didn’t do too bad as a bowler,” added the ever-modest Wright, who lives in Royton.

“I did bat a little bit too. But these days I just make up the numbers.”

And it seems popular Cec is showing no signs of pulling up the stumps just yet.

“I feel good,” he said.

“Alright, I was aching a bit after the first couple of matches but I will carry on — that’s what keeps me going.”

And as for the celebrations after the match on Saturday, Wright laughed: “The lads bought me a drink to celebrate afterwards but it was just the one and then home for me.”