"Last summer I was injured back home so I missed half the season so I'm kind of getting back into it to a level I was at before I got a stress fracture of my lower back," says the man who took a wicket and scored 43 runs at No 7 in his debut for Cornwall in their losing draw in the opening round of the HBCA Property Brokers 110-over red-ball competition.
McCarter didn't bowl for three months in Northern Ireland but he's finding the "radar" and "the ball's coming out pretty good at the moment".
Born in Derry, the right-hand middle-order batsman is a former Gloucestershire county cricketer (2012-14) after joining the club's academy in 2008.
He played for Randwick CC in Coogee, Sydney, last year and Wynum, Brisbane, the year before.
The son of retired construction company owner John McCarter followed in the footsteps of brother Dean McCarter, 25, who still holds the record for the most runs scored in an innings (274) when he was playing for Killyclooney CC in Ireland.
Graeme McCarter, who is now member of CSNI (Civil Service of Northern Ireland), came here after recommendation from Cornwall bowler Charley Crasborn who was playing in Ireland.
The weather appeals here, although it's a small place which reminds him of his birthplace.
"It was an easy decision to get away from Ireland during winter because it's pretty miserable back there," he says with a laugh.
The heat of Brisbane and Sydney opened up his eyes to the warmth on this side of the world.
He arrived in Hastings on September 30 and took in his stride the panoramic views of Te Mata Peak.
McCarter boards at Hereworth School in Havelock North where he does some one-on-one coaching.
He has built a rapport with Cornwall teammates quite quickly.
"They are a real nice bunch of guys and we're a strong side as well so I reckon we should do pretty well this [summer], all things considered."
His template is pretty much in the white-ball mould but McCarter is open to what the red-ball format can offer.
"I love putting in a few balls at the death and I also like giving it a big whack with the bat so that always helps."
He finds the bouncy wickets here batter-friendly compared with Ireland.
"It's a little easier bowling at home because the wickets aren't as good so you can't hit through the line and stuff."
Ireland's giant-killing performances in the past two ICC one-day World Cups have provided the catalyst for growth of the code there.
"The numbers are going up and we're almost up there with football but football is still the No 1 sport."
His father engaging the two boys in backyard cricket rubbed off on them.
McCarter has been contracted with Ireland since making his debut at 17, after attending an ICC-run Europe Men's Academy in February 2011 for a dozen of Europe's best players.
"It was kind of out of the blue that first cap but it was exciting times as well," he says, casting his mind back to when Ireland were just beginning to make a name for themselves at their first World Cup in the West Indies.
McCarter made his debut in a four-day match against Namibia after several first-choice internationals were unavailable due to commitments to county cricket.
Although they missed the playoffs in Australia/New Zealand ICC World Cup last year, he hopes Ireland will be back to their best despite a few seasoned players retiring.
Today the Property Brokers one-day competition starts at 11am with Cornwall hosting The Station Napier Old Boys' Marist, Big Barrel Napier Tech Old Boys welcome Ruahine Motors Central Hawke's Bay at Nelson Park while Bayleys Real Estate Havelock North cross bats with You Travel Taradale at Anderson Park.
