UP WANGARATTA way Craig Startin is as well known as his younger brother Andrew, a master of sporting impersonations.
The latest laurel for Craig, 34, is his selection in Wangaratta's Team of the Decade, just weeks after he was named as the reserve bowler for Victoria in the recent Australian Country Championships.
Noted for his sunny nature, except when he's armed with a new ball, father-of-two Startin captained Bruck's Wangaratta and District premiership last summer having also played in the previous flag team in 2002-03.
A left-arm pace bowler who angles across the right-handers without quite having the express pace of Mitchell Johnson, Startin says his action is a work in progress.
Like Johnson when in full rhythm he can be unplayable, as shown by his career-best figures of 8-23 seven years ago.
He stepped down as Bruck's captain this summer, happy to concentrate on his fast bowling, family and work as a carpenter.
"I'm not a slips fielder. The blokes behind the wicket know what is going on, so I was happy to hand over the reins (to Mark Higgs)," he said.
Originally from Benalla Technical School like other well-rated local cricketers Greg Hoysted and Andrew Squires, Startin has been a regular at Bendigo Country Week but will again miss the upcoming Melbourne Country Week titles.
"Our kids are five and two, there's a heap of work on and I can only really spare Saturdays right now," he said.
Given his time again, however, he would have joined his brother in the Big Smoke earlier and seen how far he would have taken his cricket at Premier League level.
"You can't turn back the clock, though. You can only do what you can do at the time," he said.
Asked who his toughest opponent was, Startin said the wicket of Barry Grant from the Wangaratta Magpies was always special, Grant being a real Bradman of the bush.
He says he leaves the Sam Newman and Bruce McAvaney impersonations to his city-based brother.
"Andrew went with his acting and I went with my sport," Startin said. "He's also very keen on his cricket and got me out once at Bendigo Country Week. But he's never made a 100 and I've got an 86 and I'm a better bowler too!"
- Ken Piesse's latest book is On Ya Richie, a celebration of the great Richie Benaud. It is available for purchase from www.cricketbooks.com.au
