Chetan Sharma rediscovers passion for cricket at Woodford

The 31-year-old, last spotted playing for Dennington in 2012, had other priorities until Woodford came calling.

Sharma spent almost eight years away from cricket, becoming a husband, father and building a career in retail.

But the time was right to return and the New Dehli native is now easing his way back into a sport he admits is "in his blood".

"Work has been one the hardest hurdles but you have other responsibilities and other things happening," Sharma told The Standard.

"We've been building a house, getting married and having a baby.

"Sometimes you have to put other responsibilities over things you like and enjoy."

Sharma has been serviceable since signing on at Bushfield Oval, grabbing three wickets from two matches to help Woodford entrench itself within the top four.

A friendship with coach John Houston helped Sharma settle on Woodford as his club of choice.

"I knew him from when I last played at Dennington and I'd played against a few of the boys like (Nick) Butters and Hank (Schlaghecke)," Sharma said.

"Since then he'd been a good customer of mine at work and would always ask 'when are you coming to play?'. "One day I said 'no worries, I'm ready now'. He was kind of like 'are you serious?' after trying for so long.

A fitness regimen followed and Sharma shed "seven or eight" kilograms.

"I played a couple of division two games at the end of last year to see if I was any good," Sharma said.

"My wife (Rhiarna) has been very supportive. She said 'go play, I'll manage'. I'm very happy to be back and positive for the season."

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.