Like numerous players before him, Jai Tasker ventured to the “big smoke” looking to test himself against superior competition.
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And like many of those players, doing so means many hours spent in a car.
The Inverell-based 18-year-old, who had played for Square and Compass in Inverell, is glad he is making the effort after joining North Tamworth this season.
He is the competition’s leading bowler – taking 10 wickets at an average of 11.50, a strike rate of 20.30 and an economy rate of 3.40.
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On Saturday against Bective East at Riverside 2, he had his best day yet – taking 5-42 off 12.5 overs as the Bulls were dismissed for 161 on day one of the two-day clash.
In reply, Norths were 3-67 at stumps.
In the second year of a building apprenticeship that he “loves”, and thriving in a game he “loves”, Tasker agreed that his life is pretty good.
However, it takes his “travel-sore” body a while to warm up each Saturday.
“I’ve been asked a few years [to play in Tamworth] but I never really wanted to commit,” he said.
“I thought this year, with me being a bit older and more responsible, I’d try it out and see how it went.”
Tasker made his Central North debut last season as a self-described “ringer” but was not selected this year for the Country Championship.
On Saturday, Brendan Matthews (67) and James Haling (30) top-scored for the Bulls, while Redbacks veteran quick Adam Greentree snared 3-39 off 18 overs.
Henry Smith (19) and Glenn Lewington (17) are not out for Norths.
