IAN Caunce has spoken of his delight at being selected for England Over 60s' Ashes tour to Australia later this winter.

The aggressive Oxford Downs opening batsman has been picked for the month-long trip after a most successful year for both country and county in 2015.

Caunce’s success last season for the newly-formed Oxfordshire Over 60s side, when he scored 667 runs at an average of 74.11, clearly didn’t go unnoticed.

Having been asked to play in England’s final two-day game against Australia last summer, the 64-year-old Lancastrian was the home team’s top scorer.

“I am absolutely delighted to be selected,” said Caunce, who came south to Oxfordshire more than 20 years ago and plays a lot for the South Oxfordshire Amateurs (SOA).

“When you get to our age you just hope to still be able to play cricket and perform, but to get selected to play for my country on top of that is an amazing feeling.”

The England tour party leave on Friday November 19 and return before Christmas.

The touring England side will play 14 games in the month they are over in Australia. Three of these games will be two-day Test matches, with the others being one-day games.

“I just can’t wait for the time to come around,” he added. “I’m not sure I’m going to miss the English winter too much while I am out there.”

In the meantime, Caunce is preparing for the SOA’s two-week tour to Sri Lanka over Easter.