“The club and I were moving in different directions, so I just decided it was best to step away,” he said.

The former Wagga star, who also played first grade in the powerful Sydney competition, moved to the Border in recent years and was in his second season with the Phoenix.

“’We have the utmost respect for ‘Bakes’ here,” club president Anthony Baker (no relation) said.

“Nick McDonald is one of our specialist coaches and he runs a lot of the training drills, and the young guys were responding to him.

“We have a three-year plan with our very young group, and ‘Bakes’ said, ‘look, I’m probably not your man over that three-year period’.

“There’s no animosity at all, ‘Bakes’ and I played third grade last week, and his son Dan is playing first grade and I believe will be one of the best bats in the comp in a few years time.”

New City rejoined provincial level in 2010-11.

It’s won 12 games in that period, which doesn’t include a season back at district level.

“We’re not gauging success on the amount of wins and losses,” president Baker said.

“We are working on three aspects, attitude, application and process.

“It’s all about lifting the professionalism.”

And the club’s new training facilities are a major component of that.

The $75,000 nets were unveiled a week ago.

“The upgrade is backing up what we are preaching on the field,” Baker said.

“We want to give everyone involved with the club the best facilities we can to allow them to become the best cricketers they can.”

It comes just months after the $1.3 million clubroom was opened.

And those facilities have played a leading role in the club hosting Sydney Thunder’s super clinic on Monday, December 12.

“Those facilities help present the club as a professional outfit,” Baker said.

New City’s immediate aim, on the field, doesn’t get more difficult than undefeated Tallangatta on Saturday.

The Phoenix is winless, and don’t have a batsman in the top 20, with captain Dylan Wright boasting 60 runs at 15.

Meanwhile, Wodonga will host East Albury.

The second and third-placed outfits have three-one win-loss records.

Elsewhere, Lavington will start its stint at Scots School Albury’s home ground against Wodonga Raiders.

Lavington Oval is being prepared for the Thunder-Melbourne Stars’ clash.

Albury is home to St Patrick’s, while Belvoir hosts North Albury.