But Heath Pritchard has certainly made his name known during a debut season in the Ballarat Cricket Association firsts competition.

The 38-year-old has been an integral part of the Lions’ strong start to the 2015-16 campaign and is now looking forward to helping the BCA secure promotion to the top level of Melbourne Country Week.

Pritchard is a confirmed member of the BCA’s 14-man squad, which will tackle the division two carnival in early February.

The tournament will be another great box to tick, according to the man himself, who has enjoyed a career full of highs.

Pritchard told The Courier playing in Melbourne Country Week was something he wanted to say he had achieved.

“Hopefully I can make a contribution,” the all-rounder said.

“It’s something different, something I haven’t done and I suppose at 38 I’m closer to the finish than the start..."

Pritchard has played in the Victorian Premier Cricket firsts competition, been a veteran of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association – which he represented and captained on numerous occasions - and even spent four seasons plying his trade in England.

That stint overseas has even led to the luring of Darley’s 2015-16 imports Richard Moore and Harry Killoran.

Pritchard’s BCA firsts campaign with the Lions has been disappointing with the bat – with just 69 runs from eight innings – but his efforts with the ball have been important. He has claimed 25 wickets at an average of 10.3.

Before the week in Melbourne, Pritchard will lead a Darley side into a vital round 11 encounter with Ballarat-Redan.

The Lions are fourth on the ladder, nine points clear of fifth-placed Wendouree.

Darley now meets a Two Swords side that is sixth after the outright win against Coronet City, which has left them 12 points behind the Lions.

However, the visitors will be without key batsmen Anthony Taylor and Allister Edmends for the fixture, but have named quick Brendan Thomson to return from injury this weekend.

PREDICTION: Darley.