When the record winter rains were pouring Kay, 16, was goalkeeper for top local team Barnstoneworth United and e kept all bar one goal out of the team net to help the club clinch a 2-1 grand final victory.

Then as spring developed Kay swapped the red and white gear for cricket whites, playing in under 16s and representative level as an opening batsman.

It was a real contrast going from the last line of defence to the first line of attack.

Kay recorded high scores with the bat was enough for Orange City selectors to put him in the frame for a senior call-up.

One of his first tasks will be to meet the other senior players as he said he didn’t know many of them and next thing will be coping with the extra speed and pressure of top flight Orange cricket.

City will play Kinross at Jack Brabham 4 from 1pm on Saturday.