The run-up was in the driveway.
The wicketkeeper was the remains of an old fireplace.
And it was probably a dirty green seamer, given the amount of rainfall in the area. But as far as backyard cricket pitches go, it was lovingly rolled every day, the base was Kakanui clay and it produced two of Lumsden's greatest exports - Jacob and Ryan Duffy.
The Southland brothers achieved breakthrough performances in Otago's four-wicket win over Auckland at the University Oval last week.
Ryan (23) scored his maiden half-century and followed it up with a crucial knock of 65 in the second innings. Jacob (20) bowled brilliantly all match and was rewarded with his maiden five-wicket bag in the second innings.
For Jacob, it was the continuation of the improvement he has shown this summer.
He burst on to the domestic scene as a 17-year-old and took three wickets during a televised twenty20 match, but success in first-class cricket has been harder to come by.
''During the last couple of years I have not been able to put a good two spells together but this year I've been more consistent,'' Jacob said.
''It is like Dimi [Otago coach Dimitri Mascarenhas] says: `top of off, top of off'. That is all I'm thinking all the time.''
His stamina has improved, too. He is able to bowl for longer and with more accuracy.
''I'm not bowling so many loose balls. It is nice that the captain can actually trust me to bowl whereas in the past he has not bowled me as many overs because of the fact I was not good enough to bowl them. So it was a big breakthrough game, I think.''
For Ryan, cracking the playing XI has been half the battle. As a specialist opener, he has had to compete with Aaron Redmond and Hamish Rutherford - both of whom have opened the batting for New Zealand in test cricket - for a place in the side.
There is not much room in the rest of the order, either. The Duffys' flatmate, Michael Bracewell, has a mortgage on the No 3 spot and Jesse Ryder bats at No 5.
When all-rounders Sam Wells, Jimmy Neesham or Nathan McCullum are available, they demand a spot in the team, which puts the squeeze on the rest of the batting order.
That has meant Ryan has had to bide his time. He has batted at No 4 in the past two matches. Scoring back-to-back 50s in the Auckland win was a highlight.
''It was just good to contribute to a win, to be honest. I hadn't really done that before,'' Ryan said.
''For me, it has always been hard to [make the starting XI]. As a specialist batsman, I've got opportunities when someone is not there. I've done that and now I've got an opportunity to bat No 4, which I'm finding a wee bit easier.
''The guys all help. They are just so relaxed. There is no ego and they help you out whenever they can.
''But deep down, you always feel that you are playing for your spot when you're on the cusp. Obviously, getting those two scores, I feel a bit more comfortable and feel I belong a wee bit better in the team and at that level.''
Given the peculiarities of the Duffys' former backyard, it is perhaps no surprise the cover drive is still Ryan's strength. Hit the ball elsewhere and you ran the real risk of testing out the two heavy sheets of plywood covering the windows.
Jacob and Ryan's older brother, Matthew, was a bowler and still plays some twilight cricket in Queenstown.
Jacob started off as the wicketkeeper. He replaced the remains of that old fireplace mentioned earlier but gradually progressed from glorified backstop to running up and down the driveway trying to dismiss Ryan.
Both Duffys have been named in the Otago team which will play Northern Districts in Hamilton starting tomorrow.
Carisbrook-Dunedin legspinner Rhys Phillips is in line for a surprise debut. He has replaced Neil Wagner in the 12. Wagner is being rested and, with Seddon Park expected to take spin, Mascarenhas felt the side needed another spin option.
With offspinners Mark Craig (injury) and Nathan McCullum (Black Caps duty) unavailable, and Nick Beard taking the summer off to work on his action, Phillips has received the call.
