HE laughs that he's older and less agile now than when he last played cricket in Bathurst, but Russell Gardner is still a man who commands respect.
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Eight years after leaving Bathurst he has returned, forming part of City Colts' line up for the 2020-21 Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket season.
It is a new chapter for a man who has already achieved plenty on cricket grounds in Bathurst and across the Central West.
Gardner first padded up in the region as a Bathurst City Redback in season 2006-07. Though he'd not played for five summers, he went on to hit 507 runs at an average of 39 and took 16 wickets at 14.25.
He then went on to skipper both the Bathurst District side and Centennials.
Under his guidance Centennials made five consecutive finals series and reached the grand final twice - in 2010-11 when beating ORC and in 2008-09 when falling to City Colts.
The Bathurst District side, which Gardner first skippered in 2006-07, transformed itself into a powerhouse of the then Mitchell Cricket Council.
Gardner has been delighted to see the representative side continue to develop in the years he was absent.
"It's something that I kept, even though it was from a distance, a close eye on. It's interesting to see how it's developed and it's it great to see all the youngsters who are so keen playing and coming through," he said.
"It's great to see them advance individually, but also to see the team progress to have a really solid reputation under the current leadership."
While he played both club and representative cricket in Coffs Harbour, when Gardner returned to Bathurst he'd not padded up for close to three years. It was his friendship with players such as Josh Toole and Dan Casey that lured him back to playing as a member of City Colts' side.
"Playing with Colts was just a great opportunity to be part of cricket in Bathurst again," Gardner said.
"This time around is a lot different, I'm a lot older, I'm less agile, I'm not what I used to be. It's just about being part of it and contributing what I can."
When it comes to contributing, Gardner hit 80 in Colts' most recent match against his former club. His knock included three sixes and eight fours.
"Look as long as the guys don't expect that too often, I don't think I'll be bringing back the heydays, I just hope to contribute as I can and when I can," Gardner laughed.
"It's is terrific there is still so much talent in the region, the more exposure you get to better competition the better, that's what it's all about, It's about challenging yourself.
"I'm certainly enjoying it, but I certainly feel a lot more sore than I ever used to before."
Colts drew that match - the first two-dayer of the season - against Bulls, to be sitting fifth after four rounds.
Colts' next assignment is another two-dayer against sixth-placed Centrals, which commences this Saturday at Wade Park.
