IAN Caunce called his spectacular half-century for England Over 60s against Australia “the pinnacle of my career,".

The Oxford Downs opener struck 78 from 52 balls, but England still lost by 71 runs in their two-day Ashes decider played at Sunbury-on-Thames.

Caunce thought he had been dismissed for nought.

“I bottom-edged the ball to the keeper and started walking,” said the 63-year-old.

“But the keeper sportingly said the ball hadn’t carried and called me back.”

When Caunce was eventually out, England were well-placed at 105-1 from 19 overs, but they subsided to 192 all out.

“We should have won the game from that position, but we fell away badly after that,” he said.

This game was the last in a three-match series, with England and Australia having shared the two one-day encounters, in which Caunce did not play.

So it was the Aussies, who won the Ashes, previously held by England.

The Lancastrian is a renowned six-hitter, but he scored only one maximum in his latest innings, although it led to a minor dispute.

“It was after about ten overs, and I hit a six into a thick hedge,” he explained.

“They couldn’t find the ball, and the umpires insisted on using a brand new ball, in the absence of any other suitable replacements."

“That seemed a bit strange but didn’t affect the outcome.

Caunce said he loved the whole occasion.

“I was so excited about playing for England, I couldn’t sleep before the game. It’s the pinnacle of my career," he said.

“The Aussie lads were superb and asked us to tour there in 2016. I’d love to be selected.”