They have contrasting approaches to their cricket, but NSW players Arjun Nair and Charlie Stobo have both enjoyed their time interacting with local kids ahead of the Australian summer season.
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Participating in the Central West portion of the NSW Country Blitz program, where cricketers travel out to regional areas and participate in activities to promote the game, the two cricketers, who both have aspirations of representing their state more frequently this summer, said it was good to connect with an enthusiastic audience.
They spoke to several schools and clubs during last week's overnight stay in Cowra, including Cowra Junior Cricket Club, Canowindra Primary School and St. Edward's Primary School, and were also part of a workshop for multiple local high schools.
"It's been pretty cool actually... The younger sort of public schools, they've been really keen to get out and start playing, and there's been a bit of talent that we've seen," Stobo, a right-arm medium pace bowler said.
"There's, you know, kindergartens, year ones and twos, all the way up to year six.
"I remember at school being really keen to do this sort of thing so it's nice to be able to come back as the older figure."
Nair, a spinner and all-rounder who has enjoyed regular stints with the Sydney Thunder, concurred.
"I think it's good fun looking at the excitement of the kids... I think for us [the aim's] to keep spreading the word of the game and hopefully more kids get involved," Nair said, adding that the younger kids' humorous honesty was also enjoyable.
"[They're] like, 'I like cricket,' ...[but] it's all good fun though."
While both cricketers are hungry for chances to compete at the elite level, with List A cricket to be followed by the commencement of Sheffield Shield action in October, then the Big Bash League getting underway in December, they had different tips for future players.
"Get involved with as much as you can and stick at it," Stobo said.
"I wasn't in any of the junior academies through NSW, if you keep persevering in grade cricket and whatever stuff you're playing then if you do enough, you put enough practice in you'll probably succeed."
"Don't be deterred by missed selections and that sort of thing."
Meanwhile, Nair believes you can't succeed without a positive mindset.
"I would say [you need] self-belief," Nair said.
"I think you can have all the talent you want in the world, you can work as hard as you want... but if you don't have that self-belief, like honestly, for yourself, then I don't think you'll succeed or reach far."
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