Worcestershire wicket-keeper Joe Clarke believes his spell with South Perth Cricket Club this winter will be a positive experience because it "tests your cricketing ability and mentality."
The England Under-19 player scored his first half century Down Under in the two-day match against Melville which ended in victory for South Perth in a Western Australian Cricket Association first grade encounter this weekend.
Clarke admits having only a maximum of one innings per week – and sometimes longer in between – takes time to adjust to but makes you more determined to seize any opportunity that comes your way out in the middle.
He said: "I have settled in well, got straight into my cricket training and gym work, and the standard of cricket has been good,
"With playing once a week, it is a strange one. You could go without batting for a month in some circumstances so in that way it will be hard mentally.
"But it makes you want to score runs more when you get your chance which is what you want without putting too much pressure on yourself!
"That's why it's such a good system for us lads to come over and play in because it tests your cricketing ability – it is a good standard – but also your cricket mentality!"
Clarke concedes the wickets he has so far encountered have not been the sort he envisaged ahead of his winter trip.
He said: "It's been strange personally because you have this stereotypical thought that all Aussie wickets will be hard, quick and all together really good cricket wickets.
"We've had a bit of rain so far since I've been here so the wickets haven't lived up to it yet – but they still beat an early April-May green top in England!"
Clarke admits to keeping an eye on how the other Worcestershire players in Australia this winter are performing.
He said: "I have spoke to a few of the boys and they all seem to be having a good time.
"I always have a look to see how they're going and know all of them have got off to really good starts which is really good to see."
