Rhodes impresses Down Under

HULL cricketer Dom Rhodes is rubbing shoulders with some of the best players in the world after being handed a wonderful opportunity Down Under.

The 18-year-old fast bowler, who plays domestically for Fenner Cricket Club, is halfway through a six-month stint at the Australian Cricket Academy in Queensland, Australia.

Rhodes and a host of other top junior English players are in Brisbane during the Aussie summer learning more about the game and playing cricket pretty much every second of the day to aid their development.

The youngster is playing matches for South Brisbane Cricket Club's second grade team, a much higher level than he would ever experience back in Hull, and also trains in the nets alongside the Queensland Bulls first team.

However, Rhodes admits his best experience came in the lead up to the first Test match between Australia and West Indies in Brisbane, when he got to bowl in the nets against both teams to warm them up.

As well as meeting Aussie stars Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke, he can also lay claim to clean bowling West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, a batsman with the reputation of being one of the hardest batsman to dislodge in world cricket.

Rhodes told HotShots: "Our club coach out here managed to get us bowling at the West Indies and Australia teams before the first Test match in Brisbane which was really good.

"I was bowling at the likes of Chris Gayle and Chanderpaul, which will be the best highlight of my time in Australia.

"I am staying in Australia for six months, from September, and I arrive back in Hull on the 29th of March in time for the English season to begin.

"We basically just play a lot of cricket during the week and then have our club games on the weekend.

"So far it's been a really good experience, training and getting tips off players who have played professional cricket at the highest level.

"I'm coming back for the English season and then hopefully if it all goes well, I will come back out here again for the Australian summer.

"It's just the weather, it makes you want you to stay out here!"

The all-rounder has risen through the ranks at Fenner and was voted the club's player of the year for 2009 at their recent dinner and presentation evening.

He will return in March to spearhead the Marfleet club's bowling attack, alongside newly elected captain Steve Sergeant, as they gear up to play their first season in the York and District Senior Cricket League Premier Division, this following three successive promotions.

Rhodes will seek to build on an excellent first season with Fenner's senior side, which saw him claim 33 wickets, including a hat-trick at Sheriff Hutton Bridge, and score 262 runs with the bat.

Fenner's winter indoor nets commence at the Endeavour Sport Centre, Temple Street, Hull on Thursday 21st January 2010.

The junior session are from 7-8pm, followed by the seniors from 8-10pm and further details can be obtained from secretary Feasey on 01482 79443.