Andrew Baines says "life got in the way" of his cricket.
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Restricted to a handful of matches for City United in recent seasons (he sat out last season), the waters of life have now receded enough to allow the 35-year-old to devote himself fully to cricket for the first time since he was about 26.
At Riverside 1 last Saturday, the tall left-arm paceman claimed 6-33 off 16 overs.
"Really enjoying the cricket; it's good to be back," said Baines, who moved from Camden to Tamworth for work some six years ago.
Ahead of the conclusion of that match on Saturday (City are 0-80 chasing 179), Baines spoke about how his advancement at work has allowed him to return full-time to a sport he has played since the junior ranks at the Camden Cricket Club, where he debuted in first grade.
A cabinetmaker by trade, the father of two has advance through the ranks and now works as a project planner for a big Sydney company. He is involved in the design and manufacturing of joinery products for commercial projects such as high-rises.
The construction industry was booming in Sydney, he said.
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"Now that I'm working from home, it frees up a lot of time for me," he said. "And the kids are older now, so it's much easier for me spending time at home with the kids and also playing cricket. So, it works quite well."
Elsewhere on Saturday, Old Boys will resume on 8-280 after dismissing Bective East for 66 at Riverside 3. At Riverside 2, North Tamworth will resume on 3-49 after removing South Tamworth for 129.
