THREE GENERATIONS: Simon Ogilvie will next week join his grandfather Don Ogilvie and father John Ogilvie as BCA representatives at Melbourne Country week.

GOLDEN Point all-rounder Simon Ogilvie will next week become the third generation of his family to represent Ballarat Cricket Association in Melbourne Country Week.

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He is following in the footsteps of his father John and grandfather Don Ogilvie in a feat which spans 70 years.

The Ogilvies believe this is a first for the BCA.

John Ogilvie, who is Golden Point Cricket Club secretary, said there had been several fathers and sons represent Ballarat at this level as well as up to three brothers, but research and inquiries with longstanding BCA identities had not revealed any other three generations from the one family playing country week.

He said it was a huge thrill for the family – a special sense of achievement.

Don Ogilvie, who is 91, went to Melbourne Country Week after it came out of recess at the end of World War Two.

He played for the then Victoria Cricket Club and lined up with the likes of BCA legend Rex Hollioake at country week.

Ogilvie said he could remember not even owning my own bat at the time.

He said Ken McKenzie, who was a sports reporter at The Courier and a team-mate at Victoria, lent him a bat for the week.

Don said players also had to find their own accommodation for the week and way to the ground each day.

“I stayed with an aunt in Richmond and used public transport to get to games.

“How times have changed,” Ogilvie said.

He played his early cricket with Buninyong under-19s before moving to Victoria, Durham Lead and Parkside.

Ogilvie went to Melbourne Country Week as an all-rounder – a left-hand batsman and right-arm leg spinner – and seven decades on is still a regular at matches in Ballarat following his grandchildren’s exploits on the field.

John Ogilvie, 57, was part of a golden age for Ballarat cricket in the late 1970s – playing in arguably the BCA’s all-time best Country Week team.

He had the distinction of playing in Ballarat’s three provincial title-winning teams in 1978, 1979 and 1980.

“I just played a bit role in a side that comprised a number of very talented players,” he said.

Ogilvie said the batting line-up was so strong that he sat through seven complete innings before getting his first hit.

“I managed to contribute 44 not out in a round match against Bendigo in 1979.

“I think my youthful exuberance in the field was the main reason I got a game.

“I do remember nailing a couple of run outs in finals which might have made a difference,” said Ogilvie, who captained Golden Point in the late 1970s.

The 23-year-old Simon Ogilvie is looking forward to his country week debut.

“I enjoyed playing representative cricket as a junior so it’ll be great to get back into it.”

Ogilvie will line up as an all-rounder, having recovered from a side strain which restricted his bowling early in the season.

During the period he was unable to contribute with the ball, Ogilvie blossomed as a batsman.

He has made three centuries this season - 104 against North Ballarat, unbeaten 114 against Ballarat-Redan and unbeaten 121 against Napoleons-Sebastopol for an aggregate of 509 runs at an average of 63 – to easily eclipse anything he has done in previous seasons.

“I just hope I can make a contribution during the week somehow.

“It’s nice to think my dad and grandad have already been there, so hopefully I’ll do them and the rest of the family proud,” he said.

The BCA begins its division two country week campaign against Hamilton at Werribee on Monday.

Ballarat has not lost a match in the two years in division two since being relegated from provincial, but has still been unable to finish on top of the table and earn promotion.

BCA SQUAD:

Heath Pyke (Wendouree) wicketkeeper/batsman

Adam Eddy (North Ballarat) all-rounder

Saman Jayantha (Golden Point) all-rounder

Harry Killoran (Darley) all-rounder

Jason Knowles (Brown Hill) all-rounder

Ryan Knowles (Brown Hill) all-rounder

Carmen Mapatuna (Naps-Sebas) all-rounder

Richard Moore (Darley) batsman

Steve Nicholson (Mt Clear) bowler

Simon Ogilvie (Golden Point) all-rounder

Ryan Plom (North Ballarat) wicketkeeper/batsman