Joe Clarke is determined to “get as much as I can” from this winter’s experiences with England Lions in Australia and the time spent working alongside the senior side.
The Worcestershire batsman has never made a secret of his ambitions to play for England and is eager to learn to enhance his chances of achieving that goal.
The 21-year-old says he is “trying to build my game for Test and international cricket” after being asked to work on some aspects of his technique.
The Lions will be a natural calling point should England require any reinforcements for the Ashes.
After a training camp at Loughborough next week, the squad will fly Down Under.
Clarke said: “There are probably lads in the Lions group that are the next ‘in’ I guess (if there is a vacancy).
“It’s going to be a massive learning experience in the first half of the winter.
“The second half of the winter is a competitive series (against the West Indies)when you’ve got to be performing.
“But the first part, to be spending some time with the first team lads on an Ashes tour, will bring a lot of learning and experience.
“It’s a tough place to go and play cricket in terms of the hostility but it’s going to be a massive curve for most of us and I’m going to try and get as much as I can out of it.
“I’m learning everytime I’m on one of those trips. It’s my third winter with the Lions and I’m going to have to start putting in some performances and making sure I’m one of the first names on the sheet.”
Clarke added: “Have I been working on my technique? There were a few aspects they felt needed working on.
“I did that and Bumpy (Steve Rhodes) was pleased with the way I looked and said I looked the more complete player.
“I’m trying to build my game for Test cricket and international cricket.
“Anything they help me with and I can learn from, then I’ll take that on board and work with it as best as I can.”