Daryl Mitchell has revealed his pride at joining Worcestershire's 10,000 run club – and set his sights on climbing a lot higher up the list before he eventually retires.
But the 33-year-old insists contributing bucketloads of runs for the good of the team and helping to achieve victories for Worcestershire gives him the greatest satisfaction.
Mitchell became the 25th player to reach 10,000 first class runs for the County during the innings victory over Derbyshire even though he had no idea at the time why his team-mates were applauding on the balcony!
The opener, who during the winter signed a new four year contract, has been a model of consistency for most of the past decade and achieved the landmark with an average of almost 40.
It also coincided with his 25th first class hundred and he went onto make 120 at the 3aaa County Ground.
PCA chairman Mitchell said: "It is very special. I didn't know why the lads were applauding. Obviously I got my 10,000 first class runs in all cricket last year.
"It was mentioned then that I was not too far away (for Worcestershire) but I didn't have clue at the time. It was a little bit confusing out in the middle!
"I said to Dolly (Brett D'Oliveira) 'I don't know what that is all about' but I found out at tea.
"I'm very proud and very pleased. You look at the names on that list from Don Kenyon and Graeme Hick down.
"There are a few still in my sights I could get past. Bumpy (Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes) would be one that springs to mind (on 13,300).
"I've just gone past David Leatherdale as well. Vikram Solanki (15,100) is up there as well, someone I played with a lot.
"It is fantastic, to see the list with the likes of Tom Graveney and Basil D'Oliveira on there as well.
"It's nice to join that club if you like.
"Is maybe 15,000 possible? Absolutely. I've got the rest of this season and three more at least and hopefully it will be nice to play a couple of years even after that.
"The games seem to be getting less every year which is disappointing from a first class perspective.
"We've got 11 games left this year, 14 games in the next three, hopefully play all of them, keep fit and keep ticking off the runs and ticking off the names on the list I guess."
But Mitchell admitted: "To be honest, the individual stuff is nothing that you really set out to do.
"You go out every game to try and score a hundred and try and win a game for the team and the rest of the lads.
"Those things (individual milestones) just look after themselves really. I'll keep doing what I'm doing and score as many runs as I can and see where I get at the end of my career.
"They are things you look back on when you finish."
Mitchell's unselfish approach was also emphasised with his reaction to his 25th century.
He said: "Hundreds, I guess as a batter, or particularly an opening batter, that is what you are judged on.
"The 25th is a nice one to tick over but most importantly they are always valued a little bit more when you win the game as well.
"For me and Dolly to try and set up that innings, and we scored at a pretty good rate as well, enabled us to have a right dip on the fourth morning, pull out and have a go at them.
"Obviously the bowlers backed us up and Leachy was brilliant but the whole bowling group were fantastic and we fielded extremely well.
"We took all chances throughout the game, run outs and catches, so to get over the line and win in what was just about two days of cricket was a fantastic effort."
