Four-time NBL champion Greg Hire hasn’t had time to miss playing for the Perth Wildcats this season. But he knows he’s only weeks away from feeling the emotion of play-offs start churning through his body.

Hire has thrown himself into life as a retired player this season.

He’s always been busy with his work at A Stitch In Time and Youth Focus WA but his decision to organise a charity cricket match to raise money for bushfire victims showed how far his reach extends.

BOUNDARIES 4 BUSHFIRES TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

Hire used his large group of contacts to recruit the likes of Norm Smith medallist Luke Shuey, Premier Mark McGowan, former Australian fast bowler Mitch Johnson, ex-Fremantle stars Paul Hasleby, Des Headland and Tendai Mzungu, West Coast Fever captain Courtney Bruce, ex-Wildcats star Andrew Vlahov, Hockeyroos Sophie Taylor and Rachael Lynch, and Australian all-rounder Nicole Bolton for tomorrow’s celebrity cricket game at the WACA Ground.

With so much on his plate, Hire said life after basketball had started well.

“I haven’t really missed it yet,” Hire said.

“I went to the Indigenous game the other night and at that moment I missed it a bit, but overall not really.

“I know the Wildcats are in a position to win it again though so I’m confident that in six weeks time, that’s when I will start to really miss it.”

Hire played 243 NBL games and vice-captained the Perth Wildcats after starting his career as a Development Player. Known for his passionate approach and dedication to getting the best out of himself, it’s no surprise that he’s used those same ingredients to succeed off the court.

But he’s far from confident about how he’ll perform on the field tomorrow night.

“I haven’t played cricket since high school,” Hire said.

“A former school mate recently hit me up and said ‘I hope you’ve improved because you used to be shocking in the nets.’

Over Christmas I had a few balls lobbed at me by Brad Robbins to get my confidence up. I smashed it around a bit then. But that’s an Aussie back yard.

“I know that everyone wants to be able to say they’ve hit a four or a six at the WACA. You want to create a highlight and that would be the best if it happened.”

Hire has smartly placed himself on Johnson’s team, which will avoid him having to face up to the intimidating pace bowling from the former Australian star.

But he admitted now wishing he’d given himself the chance to experience what it would be like to face one of the fastest bowlers in the world.

He said most athletes fantasised about playing other sports and wondering what it would be like to test themselves against the best of the best in another field of endeavour.

Hire and WA cricketer Jason Behrendorff raised the idea of a charity game six months ago. When the bushfires occurred, it quickly developed from a thought bubble into a genuine as a way of helping people affected by the tragedy.

“There’s been a lot of behind the scenes stuff to do in a short time but it’s gone well,” Hire said.

“I reached out to a lot of athletes and media personalities that I knew and the response was overwhelming. I know from organising stuff for Stitch In Time that whenever there is something significant happening, the community rallies. I knew I could rely on identities and athletes.

“I’ve always said that if you are in the capacity to give back or help out people who are less fortunate, then you should. I’m in that position. All it takes is an idea and people will then jump on board.

“I’ve been fortunate to have a ridiculous amount of support, particularly from the WACA.

“Generally when you run an event, you have six months of planning. We’ve had two weeks. Hopefully we get a good crowd and everyone has fun.”