Larkin, 26, was in his home town today as part of a promotional tour with Cricket NSW. Fellow State-squad member, 19-year-old fast bowler Henry Thornton was with Larkin.

Larkin returned to his old school, Taree St Josephs to speak to the students and help conduct a coaching clinic. He headed to schools in the Wingham area in the afternoon.

Larkin shows he still keeps abreast with matters locally, noting that, as was the case in his day, Joeys continues to produce top quality rugby league teams.

Larkin will again captain Sydney University’s first grade team this year, ^th e season getting underway from Saturday September 24. He hopes the weight of runs in grade cricket and hopefully some strong returns in the Matador Cup one-day series for NSW will lead to a place in the NSW Sheffield Shield team for the 2016/17 campaign. He scored a welter of runs for the NSW Second XI last season, but played only one shield game as a replacement for the injured Ed Cowan. Larkin made his debut the previous summer and scored his maiden first class century in a game against South Australia in Adelaide.

Larkin usually opens the batting. But he doesn’t want to be pigeon-holed in the role.

“I consider myself a batsman,’’ he said.

“I’m happy to bat anywhere down to six, although I prefer to open.’’

He admits gaining a regular spot in the shield is a daunting task. Making the most of any chance he receives will be paramount.

“I had a good season in the second XI, now I just hope I can convert that into the Sheffield Shield should any opportunity come my way, be it through injury or whatever,’’ he said.

“NSW has the strongest batting lineup in Australia and I know I’ll have to make a lot of runs to get another opportunity. That’s the challenge.’’

Larkin also made his debut for the Sydney Sixes in the Big Bash League last January. He’s also hoping for another crack when the lucrative series gets underway again although there’s nothing concrete as yet.

Larkin revealed that Sydney University will have a strong connection with the Manning this year, with two of his brothers in the ranks. Promising all-rounder Jonathon Craig-Dobson from Wingham is also making progress in the lower grades.

At 26 Larkin is still young in cricketing terms. However, he’s already looking at life post cricket.

While relishing the life as a fulltime cricketer, he has completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Sydney University and is currently studying for his Masters in teaching.

“I’m not that keen on being an accountant,’’ he smiled.

But at the moment making runs and plenty of them in all forms of the game, initially for Sydney University and then hopefully for NSW, remains his top priority.