From captaining his country on the world stage to helping out on a farm at Eskdale, Andrew Mansale's cricket journey has certainly been interesting.
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The Vanuatu skipper will make his debut for the Mountain Men in the opening round of the Cricket Albury Wodonga District season at home to Corowa on Saturday.
Mansale arrived in the region at the start of the week and has already been put to work.
The top order batsman and off spin bowler has been appointed Eskdale's co-coach alongside Jamie Baude and will earn his keep on the farm.
"I get the chance to learn how to milk cows and do some hay bailing," Mansale said.
"It's pretty new to me, I didn't do that stuff at home. I'm more of a gardener.
"I'm very eager to learn how to do it and it's exciting for me."
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Like most aspiring cricketers, Mansale started playing the sport at school and in the backyard with friends and families, before being picked in the national side at just 16 years of age.
The 33-year-old has now captained his country for 13 years and is keen to pass on some of his knowledge to his new teammates.
"The plan is to get involved with the coaching and see how they do their training," he said.
"I think I will be a big asset here to help with the training and it's something I'm looking forward to.
"I haven't seen the standard over here, but the training gives me a bit of knowledge of what I can expect.
"The competition in South Australia is probably a bit stronger, but it doesn't mean I'll do anything silly.
"I'm just going to have to adapt and help these boys to improve their cricket.
"Winning is what they want, but come the end of the season, I would like to see players improving.
"If each player steps up and improves their game, the team will improve straight away."
He isn't unfamiliar with Australian cricket, having spent time at several clubs in Melbourne, including Melbourne Cricket Club and Gisborne, as well as having a season in Adelaide.
Mansale has also toured around Australia as part of the Country Cricket Championship.
A number of other Vanuatu internationals will spend the summer playing cricket Down Under, including star all-rounder Patrick Matautaava.
Matautaava is also the cousin of Mansale and blasted 103 off 58 balls in a T20 international.
He'll play for Essendon, the home club of former Australian paceman Clint McKay.
Beau Greenway
I like to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I like to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
