Otago medium pacer Warren McSkimming has had a glimpse of life after cricket and the future looks rosy. Adrian Seconi reports.
The 32-year-old medium pacer, who has been sidelined from domestic cricket with a knee complaint this summer, did not have to rush back to training the next day and was able to enjoy a relaxed holiday period with his wife, Jodie, and 11-month-old daughter, Ava.
It was a breath of fresh air but he has also missed being part of the action and is targeting a return in the new year.
"I guess being injured gives you a bit more motivation to get back on the paddock," he said.
"When you see the guys playing and you're not around the squad and not with your mates, you do miss it.
"It has been tough not being involved at all this season."
The under-rated right-armer made his first-class debut for Otago in February 2000 and, in 65 games for the province, has taken 231 wickets at an average of 24.58. It is a fabulous record and one that perhaps has not got the attention it deserves.
To help put it into context, only six players have taken more wickets for Otago and they all played international cricket.
McSkimming has also chipped in with some valuable runs over the years. The highlight was his maiden and only century scored against Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval in February 2005.
He shared in an Otago-record ninth-wicket partnership of 208 with Bradley Scott that day but has also scored eight half-centuries and averages a useful 20.54 for Otago.
Arguably, only Gren Alabaster and Neil Mallender can claim better records as all-rounders for Otago.
But, after 12 seasons, McSkimming's body is starting to show signs of all that mileage.
"I've got a bit of patellar tendonitis in my left knee and it is my landing leg," he explained.
"I guess the knee is just starting to get a bit munted after a few years of bowling.
"But I'm on the comeback trail now. I just have to get some cricket under my belt."
McSkimming will play in the provincial A tournament for Otago in Lincoln next week, where he hopes "to string a few games together and push my case to get back in".
"I'm used to playing but injuries are part of cricket. The hardest thing is when you get a bit older, it takes a bit longer to heal.
"I guess you just have to be a bit more patient and that is probably one thing I haven't been. I've always tried to come back a bit earlier than what I should have."
The forced break has given McSkimming time to contemplate what retirement might look like.
He plans to keep playing for as long as he can but has a hunting and fishing business - Southern Safari Outdoor Adventures - which is starting to take off.
He leads guided hunting and fishing trips in North Otago and his beloved Maniototo region.
He also arranges farm stays, trail rides, tramping, camping and 4WD tours.
"There are loads of people in New Zealand who would love to come and do these sorts of things who don't get to do it because it is too expensive. But for $600 I'll take you out for a couple of days and you'll probably go home with $400 or $500 worth of meat.
"The business has real potential and, over the next year, we'll keep trying to push it and trying to market it."
