Pat Brown flies out to Australia tomorrow (December 17) to launch his preparations for a first taste of the Big Bash League.
The Worcestershire paceman – and the Rapids leading wicket-taker in the Vitality Blast – is not scheduled to make his debut for Melbourne Stars until January 8.
But Brown is so determined to be properly acclimatized, up to full speed and acquainted with his new team-mates that he is linking up three weeks in advance.
It is typical of his professionalism and he will spend Christmas Down Under before replacing South African legend Dale Steyn as the Stars overseas player after the opening six matches.
Brown, who on Friday was named in England’s ODI and T20I squads for the New Year series in South Africa, is poised to launch his Big Bash campaign against Sydney Thunder.
It will take place in the 100,000 capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Built in 1853, the MCG is the largest stadium in the Southern Hemisphere and the biggest cricket ground in the world.
