IT was an early birthday present for Mike Fitzpatrick, as he surpassed the 10,000-run milestone for St Andrew’s Cricket Club on Saturday.

The left-hander had been close to the mark for a few weeks, but his knock against College in Saturday’s B grade clash sealed the deal for the club veteran, who turns 43 later this week.

Fitzpatrick said it was a great feeling and something he will look back on when he has finished playing and be proud of the achievement.

“Craig (Dimond) got there late last season and I am back to number two, we have been neck and neck for runs the past few years and I was very happy when he got there, but it was a relief for me when I got there,” he said.

“It is a special feeling, at the end of my career I will be able to look back and see that I have made those runs.”

The top order batsman started playing D grade at the Drews at 14 and said his approach to the game helped his positive mindset.

“I have always enjoyed batting at the top of the order, my first instinct is to try and score and I don’t like batting and just defending my wicket,” he said.

“I probably even take that attitude out there from the first ball, and I think that has held me in good stead.”

Now that the money is off the back, Fitzpatrick looks forward to pushing on and playing without any distractions.

“A few people have been reminding me of the milestone, I was a bit nervous on Saturday and it was nice to tick that off so we can stop talking about it,” he said.

“Some of the boys made the trip to the game just to see me tick off the milestone and it all turned out well.”

Fitzpatrick has taken a keen interest in juniors this year, coaching one of the club’s Under-12 teams and said playing with his son was something which may keep him ticking over the scoreboard for a few more years yet.

“My priority now is coaching the next generation but having said that my young fella will probably be moving up into the D grade in three or four years,” he said.

“So that might spur me on to keep playing a few more years.”