‘Grandmother’ Sally Barton wants to play for as long as possible after international debut at 66

Sally Barton. (Photo: X)

While the phrase “age is just a number” may sound cliché, it often underestimates the power of grit, determination, and an unwavering spirit.

Wicketkeeper Sally Barton made her debut for Gibraltar during their second T20I of the three-match series against Estonia on April 21 at the ripe age of 66 years and 334 days, easily becoming the oldest-ever international player.

Barton surpassed the record for an ICC-recognised match, held by Portugal’s Akbar Saiya, who featured in a T20 match for Portugal against Finland in 2012 at 66 years and 12 days. She also eclipsed the all-time T20 women’s record set by Guernsey’s Philippa Stahelin, who debuted at 62 years and 28 days against Jersey, in 2023.

The perpetually-motivating Barton, who represented Essex in junior cricket and fulfilled wicketkeeping duties for Nottingham University men’s 3rd XI during her academic tenure, acknowledged her parents and her twin brother for nurturing her passion for cricket from an early age.

In a recent conversation, she expressed that the words “too old” do not feature in her lexicon. Reflecting on her journey, however, she admitted that she never envisioned playing cricket in her sixties.

“The words ‘too old’ just aren’t in my vocabulary. I never thought I’d play international cricket in my sixties, but it goes to show that you should not let anyone tell you it’s time to stop playing sport,” she told BBC.  “I might not be as fast as I used to be, but my endurance and everything is still there. My overriding memory of my debut, though, is the efforts of my team-mates to get that win.”

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London-born Barton relocated to Gibraltar in 2020 after her husband, Ian Tarrant, an Anglican priest, was appointed Dean of Gibraltar. After that, she began playing regularly in the men’s domestic league on ‘The Rock’.

Barton, who taught mathematics at the London School of Economics before calling it a day after the pandemic struck, disclosed some activities pursues to keep herself in shape – football, badminton, cycling, and walking. She disclosed another significant habit: enjoying two squares of dark chocolate, explaining its positive impact on both brain and heart health.

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“Two squares of dark chocolate. I think it’s good for the brain, good for the heart, and actually keeps the weight off because you’re not tempted to nibble on anything else,” said Barton.