Worcestershire CCC Academy player Jack Haynes has just returned from a successful seven week stint playing grade cricket in Australia which coach Elliot Wilson says can only help in his development.
The Malvern College pupil helped Sydney CC win the New South Wales AW Green Shield and scored a total of 683 runs in 13 innings at an average of 62.09.
His knocks included 188 against Gordon and 164 versus Blacktown.
Wilson believes Haynes, who next month will skipper England Schools Cricket Association Under-16s on their tour of Sri Lanka, will also reap the benefits like all young players of being away from home and having to stand on his own two feet.
He said: "I've caught up with Jack, he's had a long time away, he's missed about five weeks of school work either side of Christmas so at the moment he needs to get on top of that.
"But he was straight back into his mock exams and they seem to have gone really well for him. I'm really pleased he is managing to keep on top of things.
"He also joined the Worcestershire CCC professionals for a week during half-term from Malvern which was great.
"But the Australian experience was fantastic for him. There were a couple of really impressive individual performances from Jack and for the side he played for.
"Sydney actually won the tournament he was playing in, the New South Wales AW Green Shield for Colts cricket. His side won the Grand Final (against Northern Districts) so he was a week later getting back."
Wilson added: "For any of our youngsters to go away from home, even if it is for just a night, whether in the UK or abroad, just to spend some time away and get to stand on their own two feet for a short period of time, is really important.
"You ask any of our coaches when do they have the biggest impact on any of our players and it's when they get them to a festival for a week, get them living and breathing together for a week and thinking just about their cricket.
"To really magnify that, and going away for seven weeks and having lots of opportunities to play cricket in Sydney, Jack has been lucky and I'm sure, knowing Jack, he would have made the most of it.
"We touched base with his club and Jack impressed them hugely. "
