In this week's edition of A Lap of the Boundary, we switch tack from seasoned performers to a rising star from Lake Albert.
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Tom Doig. Lake Albert fast bowler. 21 years old. 55 first grade matches. 72 wickets. One hat-trick. Two premierships.
These are the facts; the outline of a promising player building an impressive career.
Between the lines, it's a young opening bowler keener on humility than talk of his ability.
"I like to think I bowl pace," an unassuming Doig says. "I open the bowling."
He averaged 20.42 with the ball last season and a staggering 12.88 in his first full year in the top grade, the premiership season of 2015-16. Doig prefers to credit teammates Scott Billington and Brett Davies.
"I was first change. They were two of Wagga's better bowlers so it was nice to come in after them," he says.
"They caused carnage and I just came in and snagged a few wickets here and there."
Okay, it was 17 in 11 games, including a career best 4/12 against South Wagga.
But to Doig, it's the same simple game he learnt to love in the backyard trying to dismiss older brother Zac.
"He always tried to smack me around but when I'd get him out I let him know about it. So it started there and it turned into this..." he says.
Along the way, Doig's taken in what he can, feeling fortunate to learn from players like Billington, former Lake Albert captain Kurt Robertson and Bulls life member Danny Webber.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just enjoy it. The more you enjoy it, you seem to get more success out of it."
The easiest way to do that is keep it uncomplicated and he generally steers clear of over-analysing the men wielding the willow.
"Bowling, it's more a rhythm thing. Not thinking too much, not overdoing it, just going in to bowl," Doig says.
"I've been trying to build a bit of pace up the last few years. I like to think I've got a bit quicker but I've always gone back to line and length as what I'm all about."
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There are few feelings in the game that match the buzz of sending a good batsman packing. That's the challenge that inspires him.
"It's probably the competitive side... bowling to their best batters, having that contest and hoping you come out on top. It's really enjoyable. It's satisfying in a way if you can get one of their better batters out," he says.
Those that spring to mind include South Wagga's Brayden Ambler and Joel Robinson and Wagga City's Jono Nicoll ("He's just very smart, he doesn't play too many risky shots and rarely gives a chance").
But Colts' Dave Bolton can be the stuff of nightmares.
"Dave has smacked me around a few times... He's probably been the hardest for me to bowl to, he's always been a struggle," Doig says with a grin.
Getting carted takes some getting used to, especially for someone who won four straight grand finals from the age of 13 to 16 with Lake Albert.
"I have been hit for a few large sixes (in first grade)," he says.
"When I was younger, coming out of juniors you're not as used to being hit. Playing against men where they don't mess around, they just hit you as far as they can - that was a bit of a tough pill to swallow.
"But I've learnt to move on to the next ball. If you show any weakness or frustration the batters will be all over you."
In just over four full seasons of first grade at Lake Albert, Doig has already contributed plenty to the Bulls. But for him, the giving has gone the other way. From invaluable experience and advice from teammates, to being part of the club's 125-year-plus history.
The young quick who grew up idolising Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath was thrilled to meet former Australian captain Mark Taylor, as well as Michael Slater and Geoff Lawson, at Lake's celebrations a couple of years ago.
He's part of their history himself now. That hat-trick two years ago against St Michaels helped secure the minor premiership, and was decisive as they went on to claim the 2017-18 premiership.
As for this year, Doig has played just four games due to an overseas trip but enjoyed his best all-round effort in their last match.
A 46 not out was easily his highest score with the bat,and after he dodged a hat-trick ball first up.
"I ended up getting a few runs. That's a rare sight. It was good to be out there for a while. It's unheard of!"
He then claimed four wickets in an innings for the fifth time. An elusive five-for is the goal.
He might even have a plan:
"Bowl a good line and length to most batters - that's always been my thing, put it in a good spot and let the batters deal with it."
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