RETURNING from playing on the international stage to the slightly less glamorous surrounds of the North Lancs and Cumbria League did not prove too much of a comedown for Seth Rance.

The Furness professional was named in the New Zealand squad for their pre-Champions Trophy tri-series in Ireland against the host nation and Bangladesh.

He played in two games, and wrapped up an 87-run win over the Irish with his first international wicket.

It was all something of a whirlwind time for the seamer, who only found out from national selector and former Black Caps bowler Gavin Larsen he was in the squad just before it was announced, and needed to quickly re-arrange his club commitments in Barrow.

No sooner was the tournament over, than he was back in action for Furness, playing a big role in their 153-run win over Dalton on bank holiday Monday after taking eight for 26 to help bowl their opponents out for just 58.

“It wasn’t too bad – I managed eight wickets that next game,” said Rance, reflecting on settling back into club cricket. “But in a way, it’s nice to be able to bring back some of those skills and coaching tips I can hopefully flow on into the Furness side and make everyone better for those experiences.”

He added: “I only found out a day or two before, so plans changed a little bit with my Furness stuff, but they’ve supported me brilliantly with my New Zealand call-up and it was an amazing experience.

“It’s a huge step up. Obviously playing first-class cricket in New Zealand, you’re used to that next level up, but then to go one step more to international is a good challenge and one I wanted to test myself at.

“I’m proud to say I’ve played two internationals for New Zealand, and hopefully there is more to come.”

International recognition has been a long time coming for the 29-year-old, who has been one of the stand-out performers in New Zealand’s domestic limited overs competition for Central Districts in the past two years.

He is making up for lost time after missing nearly three years due to various injuries, which saw him spend time completing his training as a carpenter before being able to return to his sporting love.

Rance had already enjoyed a summer playing for Lincolnshire side Louth in 2009 before the opportunity to play for Furness came up last year. It proved a successful stint, taking 96 wickets in 2016, so there was little hesistation in agreeing to come back.

“From my own personal career, when you think about spending a winter in New Zealand or coming to England to play cricket, it’s a bit of a no-brainer. I’m pleased to come back, and hopefully do as well as I did last year and help the team do well,” said Rance, who also has the responsibility for coaching at Furness, from the senior team down to the juniors.

“It’s one of those things, you’re a long time retired from sport so I’ll do it for as long as I can and enjoy the successes that come with being able to travel around the world and play cricket. I count myself lucky to be able to play a sport I love and treat it as a job.

“It’s been a brilliant start to the year; the first team are unbeaten, the A-team are close to that and the juniors are going really well as well. It’s nice, in a way, to personally contribute to that success.”

Rance and his Furness team-mates face a double-header this weekend as they aim to continue their impressive start to the year, with a trip to Cleator in the North Lancs Premier Division tomorrow, followed by travelling to Whitehaven in the Higson Cup on Sunday.

“It’s nice, with my coaching hat on, to say the work we’re putting in behind the scenes is working and we’re getting the result from it,” added Rance.