And, that spirit’s been a driving force as he’s travelled more than 21,000 kilometres to help spread the gospel about changes to the game for kids aged between nine and 12.

A regular visitor to Singleton and Muswellbrook, McDonald has this year been seconded to Cricket Australia to add his expertise – and enthusiasm – to the greatest ever transformation of junior cricket.

He’s been engaging associations, addressing community information nights, coaching sessions and has even starred in training videos.

In 2017, Australian cricket rolled out the new junior formats, which mean the game is played on shorter pitches, it has smaller boundaries and there’s less fielders to cater for the average child’s physical capabilities.

It’s already proving a hit because data taken from matches has highlighted significant reductions in wides and sundries, while there are more runs being struck off each ball and more wickets are being taken.

McDonald said the way in which the changes were being embraced by the cricket community is pleasing, especially because he’s travelled 4000 more kilometres than it takes to fly from Sydney to London to do his job.

“When I got my car in July it had a few hundred kilometres on the speedometer,” he said. 

“From August 10 to October 10 it had well over 13,000km on it – and it’s only going to increase.

“The car travel is needed to support the NSW state rollout, but I’ve flown another 10,000km around the nation to deliver training and coaching sessions for state association staff. 

“It’s been full on, but the results have made it worthwhile.

“The formats were recommended by biomechanics experts and they underwent rigorous testing by the junior cricket associations that piloted the formats last season. 

“The testing involved collecting match data and continual surveying of players, coaches, parents and administrators, and that process has ensured the cricket community played a major role in shaping the final formats.

“We’re finding once people see the formats in action, they understand why we’re encouraging associations to adopt them.”

McDonald added more kilometres to his travel log at the weekend when he travelled to Coffs Harbour for Sunday’s women’s Ashes one-dayer between England and an Australian team, which contained players he coached between 2010 and 2013 at the all-conquering NSW Breakers.

However, it’s anything but a lazy day off at the cricket because ‘Macca’ will meet with coaches, officials, parents and the players who are involved in the new junior formats.

“I was very pleased that Newcastle and Singleton were two associations at the forefront of the pilot testing last season,” he said.

“The changes that align playing formats across the nation are tremendous, and they’re allowing for children to become engaged with cricket because every player is getting greater opportunities to bat, bowl and field. 

“You don’t see kids being easily distracted or wondering why they aren’t doing something else … they’re too busy chasing the ball, running into bowl or having a hit.

“Parents love the formats because the game is over in either two or three hours depending on the stage and format being played – it’s proving a real winner on many fronts.”

Daniel Lane is Cricket Australia’s communications, junior cricket