BENDIGO United is one of the oldest cricket clubs in Australia, with its history dating back more than 150 years.But the club has never had anyone play 200 first XI games for it.Until today that is.Chris Pinniger - one of Bendigo United’s favourite sons - will create a piece of Redbacks’ history today when he lines up in his 200th first XI game against Kangaroo Flat at Dower Park in round three of the Bendigo District Cricket Association season.The milestone will be another highlight in what has been a career littered with both team success and individual accolades.But the laidback Pinniger - or Noddle as he is nicknamed - was taking the honour of becoming the first Redbacks’ player to reach 200 first XI games in his stride at training on Thursday night.‘‘I’m very honoured to have played 200 games at the one club,’’ the 34-year-old all-rounder said.‘‘When you consider it’s generally a 12-game season, plus a couple of finals, it has been a long time coming - no wonder I’m feeling old.’’After advancing through the Redbacks fourths, thirds and seconds, Pinniger made his first XI debut in the 1991-92 season.Since breaking into the first XI side he has never been dropped, going on to score more than 8500 runs, take 170 wickets and 120 catches.His most cherished memories are the three first XI premierships he has played in - 1999-2000, 2003-04 and 2006-07.The 1999-2000 grand final win against Bendigo was particularly special.As well as being captain-coach of the side, the 42-run win over Bendigo ended a premiership drought for the Redbacks that stretched back to 1937-38.‘‘Every flag is good, but to me that one was special because we hadn’t won one for 60-plus years.’’The 1999-2000 premiership was the first flag Pinniger had been part of since the thirds flag he won with Bendigo United in 1989-90.‘‘I probably look at my career in two halves,’’ he said.‘‘In the first half my individual performances were better, but the team performances were lacking.‘‘In the second half, I haven’t been as good individually, but the team has been much better.‘‘You just can’t beat team success, because the premiership is what the nine other teams are playing for.’’As well as his treasured three premiership medals, Pinniger also has a host of individual honours.Among them are winning the Club Champion award four times, winning the Norm Jackson Best Clubman Award, selection in the Redbacks’ Team of the Century in 2000, winning the BDCA Player of the Year Award in 1997-98 and receiving life membership at Bendigo United.‘‘The motivation now is it’s something to do on a Saturday afternoon in the summer; I must admit I don’t have the passion that I used to have, but I still enjoy mixing with the lads, playing a game of cricket and having a quiet drink after the game,’’ he said.‘‘A couple of years ago I started to get really flat, but having (younger brother) Matt come back as coach has given me a little bit of extra drive.’’Pinniger had no hesitation in naming present Redbacks captain Heath Behrens, also a triple premiership player, as the best player he has played with at the Redbacks.‘‘He really started to click in the late ‘90s and become the dominant player in the competition, but his leadership also really came on and he went to another level.’’As for his toughest opponents, Pinniger can’t split Kangaroo Flat pair Tony Taig and Adam Burns.‘‘Out of the present players, Tony Taig is with Heath in terms of blokes who have made a lot of hundreds in the competition, hundreds in grand finals and hundreds at country week,’’ he said.‘‘And without question, of the present bowlers it has to be Adam Burns.’’So what’s left for Pinniger?’‘I will give you a Glenn Archer quote, `I play for premierships and footy trips’, and at my age, that’s exactly what I’m after.’’