In it was his cricket gear.

A turn of events lead to Jenkinson receiving new cricket gear – including a bat which was made for Australian cricket legend, Adam Gilchrist.

“I was at Cricket Willow as a support and mentor with a team for children with disabilities. After the three-day competition, during the presentation, I was presented with a whole new bag of gear,” he said.

“Julian Millichamp had to make 12 bats for Gilchrist and it was the 11th bat he had made for the set of 12.”

Jenkinson said it was a wonderful surprise and a sign he needed to continue his cricket career.

Jenkinson began playing cricket at Glenthompson, aged nine. 

At 18, in the early 1960s, Jenkinson moved to Melbourne to pursue his VFL football career.

Playing for the Melbourne Football Club for three years, Jenkinson was involved in the club for the 1964 premiership.

During his football career, Jenkinson played a season of cricket at Prahran in the district cricket.

Jenkinson returned to Glenthompson and resumed playing in the Mininera district until the league folded.

In 1980 Jenkinson moved to Pomonal and re-created the cricket club that had been in recession for years.

“We started with an under-13 side. All of our equipment was donated by Eric Rush,” he said.

“We started playing in about 1982. From then until now, I still play occasionally at the age of 75.”

Now a life member, Jenkinson said Pomonal was successful in the “older days”.

“I have coached a lot of teams over the years at Pomonal and some representative sides for Grampians Cricket Association,” he said.

Jenkinson also is a member of the Hamilton over 65s and over 70s side.

“I played against an England side last year in Mt Gambier,” he said.

Cricket was once a pastime in the off-season from football but now that’s changed for Jenkinson.

“I don’t do much now in the off-season which is winter-time. I try to go up north if can get away and stay warm,” he said.

Although Jenkinson loves football he is glad to have found a passion for cricket.

“It’s a wonderful leveller. It brings everyone back. One day you can make runs and take wickets and the next day you don’t make anything,” he said.

“It’s the mateships you have with your own side plus the opposition side over the years.” 

Jenkinson now plays a mentoring role within cricket circles and is happy to share his knowledge and experience.

“I was coached by a difficult task master, the late Norm Smith. My captain was Ron Barassi. I have come through a very solid disciplinary background and I try to pass along those values,” he said.

“To see kids come through the ranks and play cricket to the best of their abilities is fantastic to see.

“You get a lot back out of cricket, just not what you put in."

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