Croatia recently beat Serbia in the Men's T20 World Cup European Qualifer. Making his debut in the side during the tournament is 53-year-old wicket-keeper Anthony Govorko who has a surprising multi-sport connection.
The T20 World Cup European Cup Qualifer will decide which two teams from Europe, outside of England and Ireland, will qualify for the main tournament in 2026. The qualifier is currently in the sub-regional phase to decide which two teams will compete against Scotland and the Netherlands in the final.
Croatia are currently ranked 75th in the ICC men's T20I team rankings, and are competing in Qualifier B against Belgium, Jersey, Serbia and Switzerland in Group One. Earlier this week, they recorded a 28-run win over Serbia, who are ranked 78th in the ICC rankings.
Two days before that match, Anthony Govorko had made his international debut against Belgium, a match which Croatia also won on DLS. Govorko is significantly older than your average international debutant, at 52. At 53, he is the oldest man to keep wicket in international cricket. but comes from a hefty sporting background.
Govroko was born in New Zealand and has been more notable for his footballing credentials than his cricketing prowess. He has been Melville United's goalkeeping coach in Hamilton since 2014, which has earned him an entry on Football Manager – a video game simulating football management – as an option to appoint as coaching staff in the game. Melville United compete in the Northern Premier League in New Zealand, one of the regional competitions below the New Zealand National League, the highest tier of foorball in the country. Melville United are currently 11th out of 12 in the league, and occupy one of the relegation spots.
Despite Govorko's football background, he has strong cricketing links. He had a stint with Croatia in 2011, before all men's international matches were elevated to T20I status. This was followed by a 13-year hiatus, presumably to further his goalkeeping coach ambitions.
Croatia finished second in Group One of the Qualifier, meaning their qualification journey for the main tournament was at an end. They lost to Germany in the third place play-off for the competition.
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