The popular and talented sportsman was back in the pads on Saturday, representing Wendouree in its Ballarat Cricket Association firsts encounter with North Ballarat.

His return to the sporting field came about nine months after a freak football accident almost cost him the ability to walk.

Begbie was playing for Beaufort in the opening round of the 2016 Central Highlands Football League season when he suffered a bump which fractured a vertebrae and dislocated another.

Following the incident, Begbie had surgery and spent months in a neck brace as his injuries healed.

Begbie’s cricket comeback was somewhat disappointing – he was trapped leg before wicket by Roosters captain-coach Adam Eddy for five – but he is simply happy to be back involved in the game he loves.

“The plan is to play at Wendouree post-Christmas with a goal of getting back to Melbourne next year,” Begbie told The Courier.

“(There’s) no real expectations, just enjoying getting back into competitive sport and playing with some mates.”

The one-day game on Saturday – which Wendouree tied with North Ballarat – was Begbie’s first appearance for his old club since the 2008-09 firsts grand final win over Brown Hill.

That triumph was the first of five-successive flags for the Red Caps during a golden period in their history.

Since then, Begbie has forged a career in the Victorian Premier Cricket competition with Melbourne, which he won a firsts premiership with during the 2012-13 campaign.

He also claimed the John Scholes Medal as the best player in the decider after scoring 93 at the top of the Demons’ batting order.

Begbie, who is studying at Federation University, said he visited his surgeon about a month ago and feels he is making good progress following the injury.

“(There’s) no real side effects at the moment,” Begbie said.

“There is a chance that there could be down the track, but feeling pretty good at the moment.”

Begbie was back in action for the Red Caps in Tuesday night’s Twenty20 semi-final against Golden Point at Eastern Oval.