AFTER five successive seasons playing cricket at home and abroad, Taree cricket product Nick Larkin will enjoy a sabbatical over the winter.
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Larkin has alternated between Australia and Ireland in that time. The 24-year-old broke into the NSW Sheffield Shield team this season and now he'll look to build on that platform in 2015/16.
"It's time to put the bat up and have a break from cricket,'' he said from Sydney this week.
"I think that'll be therapeutic.''
Larkin, an opening batsman, made his shield debut against Victoria in the opening game of the season. Despite moderate returns in that match he retained his place for the second game against South Australia in Adelaide. That provided the highlight of the summer when he scored 78 in the first innings and 130 in the second. He was named player of the match when the Blues scored an outright win. Even though he lost his place in the side when the test players returned, Larkin was still confident of the season ahead.
But he admits it didn't finish the way he'd envisaged.
"The second half of the year was a bit frustrating,'' Larkin said.
The start of the Big Bash League saw the shield competition go into recess.
"I lost a bit of momentum then,'' he reasoned.
Larkin was relegated to 12th man duties for three games before losing his place in the team. He was recalled in an extended squad for NSW's final round game against Western Australia in Perth. However, he took no part in the match where the Blues lost, meaning an end to the shield defence.
Larkin is philosophical about fulfilling the 12th man duties.
"It means the selectors are looking at me as the next player in if the opportunity arises,'' he said.
But he added that being 12th man means you're in the team, but not really in the team.
He also missed a deal of club cricket with Sydney University during that period because of State duties, meaning he wasn't getting time in the centre.
He's had a taste of first class cricket and now Larkin wants more.
"I'd like to play eight to 10 games next season for NSW and hopefully build from there,'' he said.
"That's my goal.''
He's also hoping to impress franchises in the lucrative Big Bash League.
"But that will come down to my performances at club and shield level,'' he said.
"If I can score runs consistently then I'm a chance.''
At 24 Larkin knows he has plenty of cricket in front of him.
But like any sport, he realises he can't waste opportunities.
Larkin is currently contracted to Cricket NSW until June and hopes to secure a deal to take him through to next year.
He's also looking at some university courses to study, believing this will provide a good buffer from the pressure of cricket.
Larkin started playing cricket with Taree West juniors, advancing to A-grade before moving to Sydney. When he trotted onto the MCG to open the batting for the Blues last November he joined one of Greater Taree's most elite sporting groups along with Johnny Martin and Aaron Bird - cricketers who have represented NSW. Larkin's made a start. Now he wants to consolidate.