KEY POINTS:
Another New Zealand test cricket squad jetted off on tour last week without Daryl Tuffey.
That would have been unthinkable a few seasons back, but the Black Caps' former key wicket taker is well past losing sleep over it.
It has been a torrid past few years for Tuffey, 29, and only in recent months has he felt at peace with the world and his cricket career which hit an uncomfortable speed bump during Australia's tour of New Zealand in 2005.
He has soaked up the Sydney sun, surfed at the city's southern beaches near his Caringbah apartment, and returned for another stint as the overseas player for the Sutherland club - taking nine wickets at an average of 16.33 in the first six weeks of the first grade premiership.
"I like it more here than I do back home, to be honest. It's quite refreshing being here," he said. "I'm not really in the limelight back home but I'm recognisable, whereas here you can just slip back into daily living, which is great."
Back home, injury and off-field matters have put Tuffey's name in lights when all he wants is to be back on the field.
A torn bicep muscle in his bowling arm has plagued him since 2005, he went under the knife in early 2006 but it was still troubling him in the West Indies this year when he returned home after playing just one World Cup game.
At the moment, touch wood, it's not troubling him.
Then Tuffey was stopped by police one morning in Auckland in June. The result: a drink-driving conviction and loss of licence for six months.
"It was the morning after, 8am after a big night. I'm not proud of it at all, but once again you've got to put it in the memory banks. It's a good learning curve.
"I've discovered the rail system here in Sydney's great," he added with a grin.
His relationship with New Zealand Cricket can best be described as cordial, although the wounds from the 2005 summer took a while to heal.
Then, Tuffey was publicly shamed and fined $1000 for "serious misconduct" over grainy cellphone camera footage of him and a young woman. No charges were laid, it was deemed consensual, but Tuffey felt the chill from his employers.
"Obviously it was strained there for a while a couple of years ago. I don't hold too much of a grudge but it has affected my outlook on cricket.
"There wasn't too much support back then and I guess I was hung out to dry a bit, really.
"But that's two years ago and there's a lot of water gone under the bridge.
"I worked my arse off to get back from the injury and I had a chance to go to the World Cup."
Adding to his tally of 22 tests and 80 one-day internationals for New Zealand is still a goal, but not the only goal. In recent months he's had time to contemplate. He turned down a recent contract offer from Auckland to be a "free agent", and said he was leaning towards signing a lucrative deal to join the month-long Indian Cricket League.
Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell has been in regular contact and Tuffey still hopes to play for the province for match payments this summer.
"I think I've played one first-class game in two-and-a-bit years. I'd like to play some more first-class cricket and get through a whole game. I only made it halfway through one last year.
"I've still got a passion for playing cricket. I wouldn't be here if I didn't."
He plays for Sutherland under ever-supportive former New Zealand coach Steve Rixon, and a spot on the roster is open any time he wants it.
Later, a more permanent move to Sydney's idyllic, picket-lined ovals is on the cards.
"If I bowl well there's always aspirations to play maybe for New South Wales.
"Stumper [Rixon] said I've got a good three, four, five years left in me. It was good to hear that because I was thinking at 29, maybe I'm over the hill.
"Then you see Jason Gillespie, at 32 he's still going strong. I'm not over the hill, maybe just hitting my prime. Everything else but my bicep is fine."
Tuffey is ready for when cricket is over. The wine industry is a pet interest and he's invested in a Marlborough vineyard with a group, including former test teammate Scott Styris. He's still in regular touch with Styris and his two other great mates, Shane Bond and Jacob Oram.
"They've been pretty supportive, they know what it's like to be injured and you need a bit of time to find form. I've never had that time to get a bit of rhythm going."
So, what chance of a recall, as the Black Caps prepare to take on South Africa where Tuffey went on his first tour seven years ago?
"Who knows what happens if I go to India, but if the chance arose again that would be great. But I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket and hoping to play for New Zealand any more."
- NZPA
