Even as a child, he loved cricket and though he could never take up the game as a full-time profession, he has one cricket record to his credit: Neville Wadia (64) could get his name registered with the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest player to score a century in a cricket tournament.

After retirement, this resident of Waghodia went ahead to pursue his childhood passion for cricket and in a match held between Waghodia Road Cricket team and Vrajdham Vadil Parivar Team on March 28, 2009 at Sitabaug Ground at Manjalpur, Wadia scored 105 runs, making him the oldest player to score a century.

“On that day, I was 63 years and 305 days old and I had smashed three sixes and 15 fours during the match. I never thought that the match would become so memorable for me. My sons and grandsons forced me to register the score with the Guinness Book. And surprisingly, they replied back saying that no one has claimed such a record,” said Wadia.

At a young age, Wadia had played at the Herring and Kent Cricket tournament, Kanga League Haji Adamji Latif Vapiwalal Open tournament and for the Purshottam Shield. “Some of the tournaments have been discontinued. But even with my interest, I could never make cricket my career, as in those days one was supposed to choose serious professions and not sports. Now, I am coaching my eight-year-old grandson to become a cricketer,” said Wadia.