Well, that is how it has worked out for former Otago A player Ronnie Kotkamp.
The 51-year-old played most of his "serious" cricket in the United Kingdom.
The Dunedin-born right-armer played one list A game for Hertfordshire and he also took four wickets for the MCC in a 50-over game against Scotland in 2002.
He grabbed four for 31 and former Otago representative Matthew Maynard clouted 117 to help clinch a six-wicket win.
That was at Lord’s — a ground steeped in tradition.
But yesterday Kotkamp was back at it for the Mainlanders in a national over-50s game against Districts at Sunnyvale.
His right knee was heavily bandaged and he was rather enjoying sitting down and watching Andrew Hore — another former Otago first-class player — thump the ball around.
"I’m coming back from knee surgery at the end of August, so hopefully it will last for the next two games", Kotkamp joked.
He had a 10-year stint in the UK where he played at some rather posh venues, including Sir Paul Getty’s ground, the Arundel Castle cricket ground and a handful of games at Lord’s each year.
"It was great, it was really beautiful ... but coming back home I played for Otago Country, when I was teaching in Wānaka, and I played for Southland in the Hawke Cup when I was living in Gore and teaching there."
Since moving back to Dunedin, where he teaches at John McGlashan College, cricket has taken a back seat.
He has been more of a "taxi driver" shepherding his children around.
Daughter Louise Kotkamp is on the fringe of the Otago Sparks team. The 18-year-old has represented New Zealand at under-19 level and is a very promising hockey player as well.
Veterans cricket has given him the opportunity to return to the game he loves.
The over-50s tournament wraps up today.
"You’ve got some real top cricketers out there who have come back into the game and are still very, very handy", he said.
Some of them are a little rounder around the middle and it takes them almost as long to slow down as it does to wind up, but the competitive spirit remains strong.
"They play good hard cricket on the field and then off the field they have a beer and a laugh."
The Mainlanders lost their opening two games and were out of contention for a spot in the final.
Individually there is still a lot to play for. There are spots in the New Zealand over-50s team up for grabs.
