LONG-serving Workington player Paul McKeown has been picked to tour India with England Lions over-60s, rounding off what he called “the best year of my cricketing career”.
Earlier this year, Paul was invited to attend an England age group trial at Loughborough University’s National Cricket Performance Centre. National selectors were seeking to choose talented veteran players to join an England over-60s squad for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, and a “B” Lions group.
Paul, now aged 62, earned a Lions call-up before impressing in an inter-squad trial game in Derbyshire.
He made a memorable England debut at Seaton Carew against Scotland’s Forty Club, scoring an unbeaten 21 before taking two wickets in a crushing 145-run victory.
That was the first of seven national team caps he earned throughout 2026.
Later in the year Paul travelled with the Lions on a tour to Benidorm, where they played two matches — and recorded two victories — against a Spanish Sporting Alfas emerging nation side which included Danny Dawson, who hails from Millom.
“They were an over-50s team which included a number of 30- and 40-year-olds,” said Paul. “They hadn’t been beaten all year. We played on an artificial strip which, up to 12pm, doubles as a golf driving range. There were flags and holes, and the groundsman went around with a tractor, collecting all the golf balls, before we played cricket on it!”
In the opening game, after the Lions had posted 304 for two, Paul claimed the vital wicket of big-hitting Tyrone Malyon, after he had “teed off” and made 76 as the Alfas raced to 140 without loss after just 15 overs of their reply.
“It brought back memories of games in Cumbria when you’ve got a big lad smashing it to all parts.” said Paul. “It tested me to the max but I managed to tie him up, he was caught and that spell won us the game.
“The conditions were challenging. At one stage I went to collect a ball from mid-off, it bounced over my head. When I turned around I couldn’t see it — it had gone in a golf hole!”
Last weekend, Paul attended an end-of-season England seniors dinner at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. “It was an opportunity to put on your England tie and England blazer. I got to catch up again with a lot of the lads, and members of the England 70s who have won everything in their age group.
“We’re old fellas. I imagine it’s not particularly pleasing to watch at times, but the fact we’re still playing cricket at this age and this level is testimony to everybody concerned. There is a full PR machine and managers as part of the team behind it. It is very well done and they are great.
“The camaraderie is very good as well. It is just the icing on the cake. You've got to take the opportunity, The whole trialling process starts again in February and March next year when there will be a whole new raft of players.”
But in the meantime, “a gift which keeps on giving” — Paul’s words — has included a call-up for an England Lions’ tour of India. As part of a joint tour to Hyderabad with the main over-60s side, the Lions will play six internationals against India A early in 2027. Matches will be broadcast on the Frogbox live stream and YouTube.
"The opportunity to go and experience India, and play against India in their own backyard, in a sports mad country, is unbelievable. It will be really tough. But you’ve got to take the opportunity with both hands,” he said.
In the coming weeks, Paul will focus on preparation. This will include obtaining a visa and receiving vaccinations, training and races with Penrith-based Eden Runners, and seeking advice from his brother-in-law, former England wicketkeeper turned elite level coach Paul Nixon, who is from Langwathby.
Earlier this year, Paul was a member of the Workington II team which won the Eden Valley League Division I championship, securing promotion to the Cumbria League. He has played for the West Cumbrian club for half a century, having been introduced to the game by his late father, George.
During that title-winning season, Paul was runner-up in the league bowling averages and took career best figures of eight for 17.
After 13 years, he played his final game for Cumbria over-50s — bowing out with a win against Northumberland. During that time, skipper Paul made 81 appearances, taking 56 wickets and scoring 800 runs.
He will switch to Durham over-60s in 2027.
“It has been the best year of my cricketing career — 51 years playing at Workington, culminating with an England Lions call-up,” reflected Paul, who now lives near Penrith with wife Clare. The couple have two daughters, Mia and Eve.
Part of Paul’s preparation for the India tour could also include sessions at Cumbria’s first purpose-built indoor cricket centre, which opened its doors in Carlisle late last month.
It is the brainchild of Keswick first XI captain and former Penrith all-rounder Paul Hindmarch, who hails from Borrowdale. Paul McKeown said: “That has the potential to capture a lot of Cumbrian talent. It is something we have been crying out for here. I am sure Hindy has got the support of the whole county.”
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