On Saturday afternoon at No 1 Oval, Jack McVey was doing what he is very good at: taking wickets.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The following day, he was doing something else he is very good at: proving impossible to get in touch with for a chat about cricket.
His City United teammate, Brad Smith, knows a lot about both of the fast bowler's "talents".
When City United looked to rebound from a winless 2016-17 season, Smith, the side's then captain, decided to contact McVey to see if he wanted to be part of the rebuild.
It was a "nightmare" experience, Smith said, although he eventually got hold of McVey after numerous attempts, and the quick would take 14 wickets, at an average of 17.79, in 2017-18 and has remained a key City strike weapon since then.
Read also:
"He's a hard man to find," Smith said, adding that McVey - who took 4-16 in a one-wicket win over Old Boys in a season-opening one-dayer on Saturday - was an "unreal" bowler.
"I heard a lot about him a few years ago when I was still playing in Armidale," he continued, "and I knew that I wanted him on my side when I was skippering.
"He wasn't there the first year. And I put out a bit of an SOS a few years ago during the Christmas break, and he came and played for us and we made the semis, and we've just come along in leaps and bounds since then."
On Saturday, Old Boys were dismissed for 138 in the 39th over. Cory Sommers top-scored with 25, while City quick Tait Jordan took 2-28 off seven overs. Joey Mead top-scored for City with 24, and Jack Richards (4-16 off eight) was Old Boys' best bowler.
At Riverside 1, South Tamworth beat West Tamworth by 52 runs. Opener Mitch Smith made 44 as Souths were dismissed for 183 in the 38th over, with Wests removed for 131 in 28 overs.
James Brownlee (3-8 off four) and Angus McNeill (2-22 off six) were Souths' best bowlers.
At Riverside 2, North Tamworth beat Bective East by 135 runs. Brendan Rixon (66) and his brother, Michael (56), combined for a 102-run third-wicket partnership as Norths reached 9-214 off 40 overs.
Redbacks quick Brad Redshaw then took 5-25 off eight overs as the Bulls were removed for 79 in the 28th over.
