SOUTH Wilts teenage talent William Wade has flown to Australia to hone his batting and spin bowling skills in Melbourne sub-district cricket.
But he won’t be able to play for his adopted club Elsternwick just yet.
Wade broke his thumb in South Wilts’ final game of the season at St Cross Symondians – they lost a 569-run thriller off the penultimate ball – so will initially take up a spectator’s role.
Elsternwick, one of Melbourne’s oldest clubs where the legendary Australia Test all-rounder Keith Miller played in his early days, get their pre-season programme under way this weekend.
But the injured Wade won’t be bored as the Aussie Rules Grand Final is looming large next weekend and the 18-year old plans to be among a full house at the MCG.
Wade was South Wilts’ top scorer this season, with 461 runs, including a maiden 103 against Lymington and four fifty-plus scores.
Besides playing regularly in the Minor Counties Championship for Wiltshire this season, Wade has turned out for the Worcestershire Academy and, but for his thumb injury, would probably have played one or two Second XI Championship matches towards the end of the summer.
“Once I’m fit and playing again, spending a winter in Melbourne is a wonderful opportunity for me to develop not only my own game, but also coach,” he said.
“I’m going to be working closely with Elsternwick’s Under-16s to help their transition into senior cricket but more importantly improve my own game, both in the batting and bowling departments.
“They play a lot of two day cricket over two weekends in Australia, so hopefully I’ll be able to spend more time at the crease building an innings and at the same time bowl a lot more overs of off-spin.”
* Wade's teenage South Wilts team-mate Ben Draper made his Hampshire 2nd XI debut recently, scoring 18 in the rain ravaged draw with Glamorgan.
But he won’t be able to play for his adopted club Elsternwick just yet.
Wade broke his thumb in South Wilts’ final game of the season at St Cross Symondians – they lost a 569-run thriller off the penultimate ball – so will initially take up a spectator’s role.
Elsternwick, one of Melbourne’s oldest clubs where the legendary Australia Test all-rounder Keith Miller played in his early days, get their pre-season programme under way this weekend.
But the injured Wade won’t be bored as the Aussie Rules Grand Final is looming large next weekend and the 18-year old plans to be among a full house at the MCG.
Wade was South Wilts’ top scorer this season, with 461 runs, including a maiden 103 against Lymington and four fifty-plus scores.
Besides playing regularly in the Minor Counties Championship for Wiltshire this season, Wade has turned out for the Worcestershire Academy and, but for his thumb injury, would probably have played one or two Second XI Championship matches towards the end of the summer.
“Once I’m fit and playing again, spending a winter in Melbourne is a wonderful opportunity for me to develop not only my own game, but also coach,” he said.
“I’m going to be working closely with Elsternwick’s Under-16s to help their transition into senior cricket but more importantly improve my own game, both in the batting and bowling departments.
“They play a lot of two day cricket over two weekends in Australia, so hopefully I’ll be able to spend more time at the crease building an innings and at the same time bowl a lot more overs of off-spin.”
* Wade's teenage South Wilts team-mate Ben Draper made his Hampshire 2nd XI debut recently, scoring 18 in the rain ravaged draw with Glamorgan.
