But it is another entirely to be willing — and able — to pass on the wisdom learned from countless hours of toil at the crease to those willing to consume it.
One-time test legspinner Bryce McGain certainly falls into the latter category.
Although his solitary test for Australia yielded bowling figures of 0-149, McGain’s first class, list A and Twenty20 career netted him a combined 149 poles at an average of 33.57.
McGain was in Shepparton for the exhibition Twenty20 clash between the Australia Country XI and the ACA All Stars at Deakin Reserve on Wednesday and, after snaring 2-34 with the ball, turned his attention to teaching a young local, Tatura’s Michael Archer, some tricks of the trade.
‘‘All the time I’ve been involved in these things the local guys are always wanting to learn, listen, be involved and hear a few stories when you’re on the bench as well, so it’s just really good fun all round,’’ McGain said.
‘‘I remember how much of a thrill it was when I was a kid and had those opportunities when maybe the state team would come down to Mornington or things like that.
‘‘I’m more than happy to keep doing it because I know it was such a thrill for me.
‘‘It’s not so much about the technical side of things, he (Archer) has felt comfortable with his ability to bowl leggies and a wrong-un, but it’s more the strategy and what to do and how to get more batsmen out.
‘‘They’re the things I think are missing a bit in terms of the coaching and education about how to do that, so I’ve just given him a couple of plans to work with and I could see him smiling there and I remember when I learnt them and I couldn’t wait to try them in a game.
‘‘I know that he’ll get some good success out of doing those things, and particularly field settings and opening up dangerous gaps and things like that, so it was good to have 15 minutes with him, and that’s a really exciting part (of these things).’’
Teaching the game is something McGain is no stranger to, with his role as cricket director at Victorian Premier Cricket outfit Prahran involving plenty of long chats about cricket’s nuances.
One understudy McGain has seen plenty of is Karramomus and Old Students product James Billington.
Billington has been in sparkling touch this summer with three centuries, including one in the men’s premier firsts, but McGain believes the best is yet to come for the rising star.
‘‘He’s fantastic, he’s doing so well and credit to him, he’s a hard worker and there’s no mistaking that he’s got the rewards from being a really hard worker,’’ McGain said.
‘‘He hits more balls than anyone and he wants to do great and I’m really excited for him, he’s a serious talent and he’ll go a long way and be a really consistent premier performer.
‘‘He’s got some serious power too, so I reckon he might come under the look of a few Big Bash teams.
‘‘He’s a terrific player and I’m really proud of how he goes about his game.’’
As for his own game, McGain was just happy to snare a couple of Country XI wickets on Wednesday night, as well as hold on to a sharp return catch.
‘‘I really enjoyed it and it was good conditions out there for me, it spins a bit,’’ McGain said.
‘‘So it was nice to land a few and get a couple of wickets ... it was good fun and good to see a lot of the local guys perform well.’’
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