An English summer abroad

Friday 04 December 2009 | Alex Wakely

Well not too much has happened since my last update. South Australia, being the driest state, doesn’t always have the best facilities when it comes to dealing with rain.

Compared to England where we need hundreds of covers to cope with the rainfall, here they are not used to it and as a result pitches can get wet very quickly.

The last two weekends have been washed out completely due to storms and general bad weather. At least I can say I have experienced all kinds of weather from 40-plus degrees to cold, windy and wet.

This has been quite annoying as I have only played one grade game since I have been out here.

The cricket I have played has been Twenty20. It has been exiting and fun to be involved in although Prospects' results have been varied.

As I said in the last update, I am really enjoying the training. I am learning new things everyday and I think I will have a lot to bring back to England and to Northants.

The fitness side of things is good and tough. I am in the gym everyday without fail and I am certainly seeing the benefits. The guys that are here on the Academy all get on well and we are all enjoying each other's company and helping each other to improve.

I am sure that me and all the other lads will go back to England better, fitter and stronger cricketers.

This blog was originally published on the South Australian Cricket Association website. Alex Wakely is among nine scholars from England attending the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy through the Australian summer. You can read more from them at www.saca.com.au