It is early days yet but one day, perhaps, David Masters could become as famous a builder as Bob.

He is one sportsman who does not mind being called a hod-carrier. Hurl that label in the direction of others - Vinnie Jones, perhaps - and they might take it as a term of abuse.

But Masters is the 22-year-old rising star of Kent cricket who voluntarily heads to the building site once the English season comes to a close in September.

The number of players seeking a living outside the game in the winter months is beginning to dwindle with the onset of central contracts from the ECB and year-long deals offered by some of the counties.

Grafting

Masters, however, has turned down the chance to put his feet up for the off-season in favour of grafting in wind and rain to supplement his income.

It is not just the financial rewards of helping his father out in the 20-year-old family business, however, that affects Masters' thinking.

He feels that a diet of day time television would weaken the powers that left him two first class wickets short of 50 in his first professional season last summer.

"I get bored quickly so it would be no use trying to have six months' rest between the seasons," he said.

"I have been helping my Dad out with the building company we have since I was 15 years of age, and the routine has done me no harm whatsoever. I really enjoy it and the best thing about it is that it keeps me fit.

Dangerous

"It might appear a bit dangerous to some, but Kent have no problem with it - they know I'm going to return to pre-season training in good shape.

"In fact, the only winter I have not turned into a builder was in 1998-99, when Kent sent me to go and play club cricket in Australia.

"I played some cricket, went to the beach a lot and got a great tan. It was a great experience - but than I came back to England for the new season and soon got a stress fracture of my back."

Masters believes his misfortune was no coincidence.

He said: "There are a lot of players in the modern game that are suffering from back problems - especially bowlers.

"But I keep hearing people comment how few injuries there were years ago. Then, many players came from a working class background and most had to work for a living in the winter. Perhaps that sort of graft is not such a bad thing."

There is a potential problem on the horizon - but it is one that Masters is happy to face.

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