South Wilts' teenage bowling prospect Josh Croom is on his way back to his Salisbury home after an unforgettable winter at the Darren Lehmann Academy in which he took 32 wickets and helped his adopted Adelaide club, Glenelg become South Australia Grade cricket champions.
Pictured holding the trophy, the 18-year old initially featured strongly in the Second Grade and was the competition's leading overall wicket taker - until he was catapulted into Glenelg's first team for the last two matches of the season, which included a losing semi-final appearance against Kensington.
"It's been an unbelievable experience and I feel my cricket has progressed so much in the five months I was there," he smiled.
"The quality of cricket and coaching at the DLCA was superb, so now its up to me to show what I can do for the Hampshire Academy this summer."
Croom, who lives in Stratford-Sub-Castle, would have liked to join in South Wilts' intra-club matches at Bemerton on Easter Saturday and play in a T20 double header against Southampton Solent University on Sunday (noon).
"But I've obviously got to quarantine at home for a couple of weeks, so I'm missing out. But it will give me a chance to rest before starting what promises to be a demanding - but very exciting - summer back home," he added.
Pictured holding the trophy, the 18-year old initially featured strongly in the Second Grade and was the competition's leading overall wicket taker - until he was catapulted into Glenelg's first team for the last two matches of the season, which included a losing semi-final appearance against Kensington.
"It's been an unbelievable experience and I feel my cricket has progressed so much in the five months I was there," he smiled.
"The quality of cricket and coaching at the DLCA was superb, so now its up to me to show what I can do for the Hampshire Academy this summer."
Croom, who lives in Stratford-Sub-Castle, would have liked to join in South Wilts' intra-club matches at Bemerton on Easter Saturday and play in a T20 double header against Southampton Solent University on Sunday (noon).
"But I've obviously got to quarantine at home for a couple of weeks, so I'm missing out. But it will give me a chance to rest before starting what promises to be a demanding - but very exciting - summer back home," he added.
