Charlie Morris is hoping to reap the benefits of a successful winter with Tuggeranong Valley playing grade cricket in Canberra.
The Worcestershire paceman helped his side to lift the One-Day Cup and made a strong contribution with the ball as well as proving difficult to dislodge with the bat.
It continued his comeback from undergoing a remodelled action last summer under the supervision of Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes, bowling coach Matt Mason and the other county coaches.
Morris was not included in the side for the opening Specsavers County Championship triumph over Glamorgan.
But the Hereford born player is determined to make an impact at New Road in 2017.
Here he reflects on his four month spell in Australia with the Worcestershire CCC website.
Question: How did the winter go for you?
Charlie Morris: "It was great. It was nice to have some warm weather and, yes, I really enjoyed my time away in Canberra and I wouldn't have any reservations in going back."
Question: What was the standard of cricket like?
Charlie Morris: "It was varied. I don't think the grade competition is as strong as some of the maj or cities like Sydney and Perth.
"Having said that, there were some really good players in that league and some good teams so it really depended who you came up against each week.
"The team, Tuggeranong, have had a really good year. We were sitting first in the table going into the finals and we won the One-Day Cup and also got to the final of the T20.
"But one of the great things about going to Canberra is you get to play with the ACT Comets (who represent the Australian Capital Territory in the Toyota Futures League.
"I played a couple of games, one against Victoria and one against Tasmania which was great.
"It is the equivalent of our second team competition here and that standard was really good, probably a bit stronger than our second team cricket to be honest.
"You get to train with the Comets squad every week at Manuka (Oval) so that was brilliant.
"They have got fantastic faciities, like any professional set-up, and to play some representative cricket in Australia was fantastic, not something every Englishman gets to do.
"I loved it. It was a really good experience against some good players, very strong sides and the standard of cricket wasn't far off first class and was played on some good decks."
Question: Did you come up against any well known first class players?
Charlie Morris: "James Patterson was playing for Victoria, David Doherty was playing for Tasmania and Cameron Boyce, the leg spinner…..they've all played international cricket and there were several other guys who have played State cricket.
"I think that is why Futures League cricket is a really good standard because you get those names and those quality of players in those games which would be slightly more of a rarity in second team cricket.
"In most Futures League cricket, you have a couple of Test players and some very good experienced State cricketers.
"If you play at Manuka on that international surface, it is great. It shows where your cricket is at and is a really good challenge."
Question: What was the main objective of going out to Australia in the first place?
Charlie Morris: "To enjoy cricket, quite frankly, and have a really good time.I worked really hard out there on all facets of my game, looked to improve and crack on, but the main objective was to go out there and enjoy my cricket.
"I had a great time, it was really fun to be playing out there, and now I'm really excited about the season here."
Question: Personally, it was a successful spell for you?
Charlie Morris: "I think I ended up with 33 wickets at an average of 20 odd. The Futures League games went well as well.
"I only picked up a couple of wickets but bowled pretty tight with lots of maidens.
"I know exactly what I need to do to be more effective and pick up those extra wickets.I was really pleased with how it went."
Question: You also proved a determined customer with the bat, being dismissed only once with Tuggeranong all winter?
Charlie Morris: "I was batting down the order. To be honest, I would have liked more of an opportunity up the order but I just did my job as best I could down there and kept getting not outs.
"The only time I was dismissed was a run-out. I think the only other time I got out was in a Future League game when I was caught at short leg. I think that was the only time I got out off the bat all winter.
"It gave me a nice little average (74). It probably doesn't quite show the whole picture!"
Question: You do take your batting seriously?
Charlie Morris: "My batting probably represents my personality which is pretty plain and boring (laughs) and therefore it is not very expansive and extravagant!"
Question: You are not in the Jack Shantry mode then?
Charlie Morris: "Sadly not yet! I've worked very hard on my defensive game over the years and I think I've got a good base with my batting.
"I think I just need to start looking with a bit more intent to score
"I'll keep working on those scoring shots and hopefully I'll put some scores together but you have to be good at your batting, especially with the strength of the guys in the squad.
"With the competition for places, you've got to be able to offer something with the bat.
"I don't think I'm quite doing that yet but I'll keep working at it and hopefully with a bit more intent, put some more runs on the board and offer something down the order to the team that can help us get over the edge and win games."
Question: So that's 100 wickets and 1,000 runs this summer then!
Charlie Morris: "That would be wonderful!"
