A month ago today, Bashley (Rydal) batsman Michael Porter flew to Melbourne to spend the entire winter playing for Brunswick in Victorian sub-district cricket.
Four weeks on and the 26-years old has yet to get his bat out of his kit bag such as has been the appalling wet weather in Australia’s eastern states which has led to the initial three rounds of grade cricket in both Melbourne and Sydney being washed out without a ball being bowled.
“It’s all very frustrating,” Porter said. “The weather here has been terrible and appears likely to last a while longer yet.
“There’s a rain bearing weather system named La Nina which has lodged itself across the eastern states and, if the long-range forecast is correct, will remain over us for a few weeks yet.
“Fortunately, we’ve managed to have two or three midweek training sessions, but then along comes the rain and we are washed out again.”
Desperate to occupy his time, Porter has joined a local gym – he confesses it’s the first time since days on the Hampshire Academy he’s done any serious fitness work – and has taken up squash.
“Brunswick organized an inter-club tournament, which I managed to win, so that at least has been a bonus.
“The club has been very welcoming and the other English guys I’m sharing accommodation with have been great. But its not much fun when you get up every morning with rain belting against the bedroom window,” he added.
Porter kept a low profile watching England lose to the Irish in midweek, but as can be seen from the photograph of the flooded net practice area at Brunswick, is unlikely to get any Grade cricket again this weekend.
Lymington offie Dan Cox is in a similar predicament and has yet to non his whites.
Four weeks on and the 26-years old has yet to get his bat out of his kit bag such as has been the appalling wet weather in Australia’s eastern states which has led to the initial three rounds of grade cricket in both Melbourne and Sydney being washed out without a ball being bowled.
“It’s all very frustrating,” Porter said. “The weather here has been terrible and appears likely to last a while longer yet.
“There’s a rain bearing weather system named La Nina which has lodged itself across the eastern states and, if the long-range forecast is correct, will remain over us for a few weeks yet.
“Fortunately, we’ve managed to have two or three midweek training sessions, but then along comes the rain and we are washed out again.”
Desperate to occupy his time, Porter has joined a local gym – he confesses it’s the first time since days on the Hampshire Academy he’s done any serious fitness work – and has taken up squash.
“Brunswick organized an inter-club tournament, which I managed to win, so that at least has been a bonus.
“The club has been very welcoming and the other English guys I’m sharing accommodation with have been great. But its not much fun when you get up every morning with rain belting against the bedroom window,” he added.
Porter kept a low profile watching England lose to the Irish in midweek, but as can be seen from the photograph of the flooded net practice area at Brunswick, is unlikely to get any Grade cricket again this weekend.
Lymington offie Dan Cox is in a similar predicament and has yet to non his whites.
Anyone for nets ? Brunswick unveil underwater nets at their ground in Melbourne.
