Timing was everything on and off the field for Stoke Nayland wicketkeeper/batsman Mason Robinson at the IMC Over60s Cricket World Cup in Mississauga, just west of Toronto.
He turned 60 three days before the tournament, stepped in as captain, and his run- making led an unbeaten New Zealand side to the final against England.
“It was a great event and we improved with every game. Our planning paid off,” declares the Central Districts masters representative.
New Zealand won its pool matches against Zimbabwe, India, the West Indies, the USA and England in the 14-nation, 45 overs-aside tournament.
The side had identified the Americans as a key side to beat and Mason promptly scored 102 not out in that game. He also made three half centuries and a crucial 42 in a low scoring clash with England.
He had assumed captaincy after a leg injury to Craig Gibb, and decided his team would bat.
“It was a tricky wicket and we only made 148. But we defended that and won by four runs,” says Mason.
The Kiwi outfit went on to beat Pakistan by two wickets in the semi-final to set up a rematch with England which had edged Australia.
There was plenty of support for the New Zealand side from other nations, after an English incident seen as contrary to the spirit of the game.
“After one of their players was given out lbw against India, he walked towards the umpire waving his bat,” recounts Mason.
The decision was later overturned, but it still left a sour taste.
The final was washed out so New Zealand had to share the trophy with England, even though it was the only unbeaten side and had won their pool encounter.
It was the first time a New Zealand team had won a world masters tournament.
Mason was named the MVP after amassing 370 runs at an average of 92.5.
He hit the most sixes -six, but his 161 singles meant just as much to him.
His team had devised a cunning strategy to make the fielders, especially from India and Pakistan, work hard.
“We were deflecting balls into the gaps as we wanted the older players to have to bend down, pick up and throw.”
Mason proved just as efficient behind the stumps with 12 dismissals – five catches, four stumpings and three run outs.
The team got to bring the world cup home and, deservedly, Nelson was the first stop.
The impressive trophy is on display at Little India Restaurant in Hardy Street along with several of Mason’s U50’s cricket awards.
“The owner Mani Rai came onboard as a sponsor when we played Australia in Nelson in 2018. He has been a great supporter of masters cricket,” explains Mason.
And Mani didn’t mind the Kiwis beating India either.
Mason will return to international action in Victoria later this month, playing T20 cricket for the Lightning Storm in the Over50s Big Bash.
He will be teaming up again with his longtime mate and strategist Richard Petrie, the former Blackcaps allrounder.
The pair met at Canterbury University where Mason studied after being head boy at Marlborough Boys College, where tennis had been his main sporting interest
“I will be standing up to the stumps to ‘Peaches’, too,” quips the Tasman Pine Forests accountant, who moved to Nelson in 1998.
He went on to play squash for Nelson, which dominated the provincial Heaphy Shield for 10 years.
That squash background has now extended to his workplace.
“I was coaching some of the guys and six of them decided to hold a Mason Robinson invitational tournament.”
His hectic cricket schedule, which involved playing the past three winters, has prompted Mason to take a break from the local club season which starts next month.
“I will spend time with the family and freshen up,” concludes the well-travelled sportsman.
