Former Test cricketer Andrew McDonald will play his first game for New City in 18 seasons on Saturday.
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The Victorian coach will play against Lavington at the Urana Road Oval.
“I haven’t played for New City since I finished school at the end of ‘98,” he said.
“I haven’t been home for 11 months and dad just said at one stage, ‘do you want to have a game’?
“It’s always important to remember where you’ve come from and I’m thankful for all the help I received.
“I certainly feel indebted to people for their support, and if I can contribute to the great game of cricket, I’m happy to do that.”
McDonald’s return is a massive boost to New City, which is chasing its first win.
“It’s a privilege to play alongside someone who’s played Test cricket for Australia,” Phoenix import Raj Dohal said.
“I’m hoping to make a huge impression on him, and ring some bells for me, either back home in England or here in Australia.
“And our young players will be trying to make as big an impression.”
And the association is just as excited.
“It’s absolutely fantastic that an elite player is coming home to help his junior club,” chairman Michael Erdeljac said.
“He did play with the Border Bullets last season and it’s great that he’s happy to come home and help people.”
McDonald played a key role in the Bullets’ win at representative level.
“This is a little more special for me because it’s where I started,” he said.
McDonald has one of the highest-profile coaching positions in Australian cricket, outside the national team.
The Bushrangers boast a stack of internationals, including Aaron Finch, Peter Siddle and Glenn Maxwell.
“We have such a fantastic list, and we’ve often said it would be nice if the Australian selectors took more of our players, so we didn’t have as many selection headaches,” he joked.
Maxwell was overlooked for the first Sheffield Shield match.
“It’s tough at the selection table, and the guys understand it if they’re not selected,” he said.
“In saying that, they don’t do cartwheels when they’re dropped.”
McDonald played alongside a number of his current squad.
“I respect them as players and they respect me as coach,” he said.
