O'Connell, now a juniors coach, started playing in 1951 and has had stints as association president.

The presentation was made at a dinner in the Melbourne Cricket Club Victorian Cricket Association rooms during a one-day match between Victoria and Tasmania.

Bill coaches Trentham's under-14 side in the Kyneton and District Junior Cricket Association, which he co-founded 25 years ago.

O'Connell was also a reputable footballer and won premierships with Trentham senior teams.

He's a supporter of Twenty20 cricket despite it being removed from the cricket tradition he grew up playing.

"It's something that will attract different people to be involved in the game in the years to come," Bill said.

The Trentham East farmer predicted Trentham district cricket would change significantly over the next 20 to 30 years.

"It's going to be very dicey. Big places like Ballarat will be okay, but smaller places like Trentham could be in a bit of trouble as far as attracting players goes," O'Connell said.

As someone who has seen Australia's national team change over the decades, O'Connell didn't side with most of his generation, who have criticised the Australian team in recent months for its lack of sportsmanship.

"I think Ricky Ponting has done a really good job. Especially since returning from England when the Aussies lost the Ashes.

"You can't pin someone down and expect them to be moral citizens all of the time," O'Connell said.