The 21-year-old fast bowler made his A-list debut for the Otago Volts earlier this month, after a last-minute call-up.
Hart, who came through the Queenstown Cricket Club ranks, got the call while on holiday in Auckland, and jumped on a flight home the next day to train with the team ahead of their game in Dunedin against the Wellington Firebirds.
"I’ve been trying to prepare for it for a long time, so despite the injury within the team, it is nice to see my hard work has paid off."
Hart took a wicket during his first over, helping the team to victory.
"It felt pretty good," he says, it "took a bit of the pressure off ... and eased the nerves."
Because the game was played in Dunedin, his debut was made even more special with the support of his parents and mates in the crowd.
"I was thrilled to see them celebrate when I got the wicket."
Originally from Auckland, Hart and his family moved to Queenstown when he was five — he says he fell in love with the sport while watching the 2015 Cricket World Cup, hosted in New Zealand and Australia, and has been working to perfect his game ever since.
He’s previously played for the Otago under-17s, U19s and A side.
Hart now lives in Dunedin, where he plays for the Taieri Cricket Club and works for ACC — he quips if he ever gets injured, he’ll be sorted.
