When you live on the fringes of professional sport, the ability to keep things in perspective can be your greatest weapon.

It's certainly proved to be just that for Tauranga's Joe Carter. The stylish top order batsman, who debuted in cricket's professional ranks with Northern Districts in 2013, has just earned himself a recall to the team for the Ford Trophy one day competition after dropping out of favour 18 months ago.

And he's appreciating being back with the lads and living in the now.

'I'm just trying to enjoy playing cricket and hopefully help the guys win games,” says Joe. 'That's what it's all about for me, and that's where the enjoyment comes from.”

The call-up came out of the blue, Joe says, even though he'd been playing with the ND A team and put his hand firmly up with a century in a one day match against Auckland.

'I was really happy to be back involved,” he says. 'I'd still been training and playing and trying to get the best out of myself, so I was happy I could get that opportunity again.

'It was good to come back into a really cool environment. The lads have all worked really hard but it is fun and enjoyable to be part of.”

That relaxed attitude is paying big dividends for Joe. Three games back into the fold, he not only produced an unbeaten hundred – his first in the 50-over format - to put his team into an ultimately winning position against Central Districts, he put his name, along with his good Tauranga mate Brett Hampton's, into the annals of cricket history with a world-record 43 runs off one over.

As laid back as he is, he admits that after the lean times he's been through, that innings was special.

'Yeah it did feel good,” says Joe.

'I was pretty frustrated for a couple of seasons, not being able to do it as much as I could, so it was nice to help the lads get over the line.”

And as the icing on the cake, helping set a world record is about as good as it gets.

'It was good to be part of, and good to do it with a really good mate of mine. That is special.”

That innings, and a 45 not-out which also helped steer ND to a win in the following match against Canterbury, won't have done his position in the team any harm - though that's not the be-all and end-all, he says.

'It's not really much of a focus of mine being secure, as I'm pretty happy with how things are going. So I'm just taking things game by game and trying to get as close to finals as we can.”

Putting too much pressure on himself is an ever-present danger, Joe says, but it's a trap having a day job away from the game, fabricating and installing benchtops, helps him avoid.

'I think there's always that. A lot of guys go through those times when they do put pressure on themselves, but I guess having a break gives you good perspective.

'It's done that for me.”

There's still room for ambition in his make-up, though. It's about putting himself in a position to earn more game time this season, perhaps a full contract with ND next, and then maybe even elevation beyond that level.

'For me, I just want to be able to get the best out of myself,” says Joe, 'so if those things come along, then that's great.”