Suburban cricketer Dan Tucker takes 10-99 in an innings

North Ringwood stalwart Dan Tucker only took up the ball a few years ago. On Saturday, he realised every bowler’s dream in a four-decade first for his club.

North Ringwood's Dan Tucker took 10-99 on Saturday. Picture: North Ringwood CC

NORTH Ringwood stalwart Dan Tucker only took up the ball a few years ago.

On Saturday, he achieved every bowler’s dream.

The Third XI captain saluted a 10-wicket haul in his side’s Ringwood & District bout with South Warrandyte, becoming just the fourth player in his club’s 90-year history to achieve the feat.

Finishing with 10-99 off 35.3 overs, the double-digit milestone would also be the first of its kind at North Ringwood in more than 40 years.

He joins the exclusive company of Steve Brasher (10-136 in 1984; Third XI), Glenn Newey (10-41, 1978; Second XI) and George Whitehouse (10-33, 1954; Second XI).

Tucker’s previous best had been two bags of five.

“I definitely never, ever thought of taking 10-for in a game before, considering I’ve only bowled for seven years,” Tucker said.

“I was pretty pumped when I got to six, and just kept going from there.

“My teammates really got behind me and I think jokingly after four wickets they were saying ‘Tucks is going to take 10-for today’ and they just kept going every time I took a wicket – they wouldn’t let me get off.

“I was pretty happy with nine, and after bowling 30 (overs) I was quite tired … I’m pretty sure the next over they (South Warrandyte) were going to declare so I thought I was running out of time.”

But in the nick of time, the brilliant Bull’s 10th wicket tumbled to send the opposition out for 229 on day one.

“(South Warrandyte) were brilliant at the end of the game – they gave me a guard of honour as I walked off,” Tucker said.

By his own admission, “I’m definitely not fast, but pretty accurate and can get the ball to move a bit.”

“I’ve always been able to swing the ball, I’ll outswing naturally, and developed to be able to bowl inswing as well.”

A move down the grades a few years ago prompted Tucker to take up bowling after wicketkeeping in the First XI for 15 years.

A late career switch to bowling has paid dividends for North Ringwood's Dan Tucker. Picture: Supplied

“I always enjoyed bowling, but knew I probably wasn’t going to play at the highest as a bowler,” he said.

“I started wicketkeeping in the firsts when I was 17 (and) I was in and out (of the First XI) a little bit over a 15-year period, then I realised that I probably wasn’t going to get back into the firsts, so I decided I’d give it (bowling) a crack and see how I’d go with the ball when I was captaining the twos.

“I went well, so I continued on.”

Tucker reached the 300-game milestone in November 2023 in a career which has taken in the highs of five premierships and around 3000 runs after debuting in 1996-97.

For a long time, an unbeaten 139 in a 2006-07 Newey Plate semi-final had been his finest individual achievement.

It’s now second.

“I’ve made one ton before this, and this trumps the ton,” Tucker said of his 10-wicket haul.

“And I did not pay for a drink all night!”