The first is his recently bought block of land right next to Peter McDonald Oval where the former Ecklin vice-captain and his wife Deborah will build their new property.

The second will be on the grounds next door where he will become the captain-coach of Purnim Cricket Club’s A grade side for the 2018-19 Grassmere Cricket Association season.

Howarth, 26, who has played cricket since he was 11 years old for Ecklin in the South West Cricket Association, said it didn’t take long for the Bulls to discover he was setting up next door. 

“Word got out and they gave me a buzz and I thought I would come down and see what they are all about,” the opening pace bowler said.

“First off I couldn't go past the location of the ground, but I certainly wanted to find a club that was family friendly and even female friendly. When I came for a chat with them they all sort of seemed really in check.

“It seemed the reason that they wanted me was that they wanted to promote themselves as a younger club and it seemed like a good fit if they were chasing me and it made me think that it must be the place for me.”

The challenge for the middle-order batsman is to establish himself at his new home.

“The first job from now to the start of the season is to get around and meet everybody and start building those social bonds to carry out onto the field,” he said. 

“I certainly feel like I have to earn respect here for someone who has just walked in and doesn’t necessarily know that many people. It will be hard to tell people what to do if they don’t know who I am.”

Howarth said he was going to focus on the youth within the club and build a strong future for the Bulls.