Worcestershire all-rounder Joe Leach admits he is enjoying batting higher up the order for North Canberra Gungahlin after a successful start with bat and ball in Australia.
Leach has been occupying the number four slot for the Northies and made good contributions in the 50 over and Twenty20 competitions.
He held down the number seven or eight slot at New Road in helping Worcestershire gain promotion to Division One of the LV = County Championship.
Leach came into his own towards the end of the campaign with a series of half centuries and, although Jack Shantry deservedly earned the head-lines, his scores of 70 and 50 against Surrey were also crucial contributions in the promotion-clinching win.
He has also been happy with his performances with the ball Down Under after finishing with 33 Championship wickets from 2014 with Worcestershire including a career best 5-36 against Kent at Tunbridge Wells.
Leach said: "I'm really happy with the start I have made over here. I have got a start with the bat in every match.
"It's just a shame I haven’t been able to go on and get a really big score but hopefully that is just around the corner!
"I really enjoying batting at number four. It gives me a chance to build an innings rather than have to play cameos which is what I was doing in the Royal London Cup during the English summer.
"That's not to say I didn’t enjoy my role with the bat I had at home. It's just nice to have a bit more time.
"In terms of the bowling each week I feel like I’m getting better rhythm which is nice."
Leach and the other seven Worcestershire players Down Under this winter have to follow a fitness plan similar to the players who have remained at New Road.
He said "We have a programme that is not dissimilar to what the boys are doing back home.
"I meet up with Ed Barnard (who is playing for Queaybeyan) and we do our sessions every day in much the same way as the guys do back home."
