And while his career is nearing its twilight, Boyd has proven his best is with regional Australia’s elite.

The Allansford co-coach snagged 18 wickets for Victoria Country at the eight-day Australian Country Cricket Championship’s to book a place in the carnival’s best XI.

He was also third-placed for player of the championship.

Boyd led a Victoria Country side –  which also boasted south-west batsmen Cam Williams and Nathan Murphy – to a second-place finish at the prestigious carnival.

He revealed wind-swept Geraldton – 414 kilometres north of Perth – tossed up the toughest bowling conditions he’d experienced.

“We were a bit lucky in that Warrnambool can toss up pretty gusty conditions, but I’d never come across anything like Geraldton,” Boyd said.

“It was just straight in your face as a bowler. They were near gale winds. You’d have batsmen wanting to hit it back over your head.

“It was the first time I’ve had (five wickets) there and that came against East Asia Pacific. I’ve had a lot of wickets over the four times I’ve been there but I’d never had a challenge like the wind there.”

Williams, the captain of Warrnambool powerhouse Russells Creek, was presented with the R.M. Hooper Award for his efforts as the strongest Victorian Country Cricket League prospect.

Boyd said both Williams and Murphy adapted to the standard of the carnival as the week progressed.

“They’ve both had a lot of country week experience so they know what a carnival entails.,” Boyd said.

“As it goes on you get the feel for the level that you have to step up to and while we missed out the first couple of days, we put in a better effort.

“Both of the boys had the confidence to bat, field and wicketkeep and they managed to do that well in their first time out.”