He sent us a quick update on his first few weeks in Australia…
“I was really pleased with the opportunities I got playing for Durham this season and I wanted to keep the momentum going throughout the winter so I arranged to go and play cricket over in Perth for Claremont-Nedlands in the first grade of the WACA league.
“I’ve been to Western Australia before, I spent two seasons in Kalgoorlie which is inland from here so it’s nice to have a bit of seas breeze this time around!
“Despite it being my first visit here I’ve settled in well already. I’m living with one of the guys from the club, who has been really great. The only thing I’m still getting used to are his two parrots who never stop squawking – they make so much noise!
“I’ve only been here a few weeks but I’m already into my routine, we train Tuesdays and Thursdays with our fixtures taking place every Saturday and some Sundays. Durham’s Fitness Coach, Mike King, will be sending me the fitness schedule he needs me to work on while I’m away very soon so that will keep me pretty busy most days too although I will definitely fit in some time at the beach too.
“Two of our Academy players are based quite near me, Ryan Pringle and Callum Harding, so I’ll definitely be catching up with them a fair bit and if I get some time off at any point I’ll be trying to get up to Sydney to visit Mitchell Claydon.
“We had our first game of the season against former Durham player Ashley Noffke’s team, Mount Lawley DCC, last week but unfortunately we got beaten. I opened the bowling and took 1-60 from my 22 overs and I also managed to contribute 27 to our total.
“I want to bowl as much as possible while I’m over here to get my consistency up to the highest level. I want to get physically fitter so I can come back to Durham with overs under my belt, match ready, and be able to fight for a place in the first eleven and go on to produce match winning performances that significantly contribute to a successful season for the team.”
Follow Chris and Claremont-Nedlands through their 2010/2011 season at http://www.cncc.org.au/home.aspx?