Young Worcestershire pace bowler Harry Darley will play grade cricket in Australia for the first time this winter and says the experience will only benefit his development as a cricketer.
The 19-year-old is to play for Ulverstone CC in the North Western Tasmanian Association Premier Division from October to mid March.
Opener Jake Libby spent two winters with Ulverstone and was instrumental in setting up the opportunity for Darley.
He made his first team breakthrough last summer in featuring in four Vitality Blast matches and seven in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
There were two performances in particular by Darley that stick in the memory.
After a challenging Blast debut against Lancashire, he responded by picking up two wickets with his first two legitimate deliveries in the next game against Leicestershire at Visit Worcestershire New Road.
Darley then took the new ball for the home One Day Cup match with Middlesex and removed the first three batters, including former England opener Sam Robson.
Now he is looking for the five months Down Under to further broaden his cricketing education and life experiences.
He said: “I think this will be good for my development as a cricketer. I’ve spoken to some of the lads who’ve been to Australia before and they say it is a great learning curve.
“That’s the way I’m looking at it. They are in the Premier Division and it should be a decent standard.
“Jake Libby was there for a couple of years so he got in contact with them and it all came through him really.
“Really looking forward to it and as well as playing cricket I’ll have a training plan to work to and will be doing a little job as well helping out in a gymnasium.”
Darley, who confirmed he recently signed a new rookie contract with Worcestershire, admits he had never expected to play as many senior games last summer but was grateful for the opportunity.
He said: “I fully expected to play for the Academy and then the injuries happened to some of the first team squad and I played a few T20s and then played seven of the 50 over games.
“It was a really good experience. I didn’t really expect to play even one this year.
“It was a huge learning curve, I learnt a lot from it which is the main thing. There aren’t many 19 year olds who get to play that many games and I really enjoyed it.
“It is quite intimidating and there is a lot more pressure and I’ve got to hit my areas better but really enjoyed the challenge.
“The Leicestershire game was a good day and the last one as well (against Derbyshire). I especially enjoyed the T20s. They were good fun and go quickly as well because they are always so intense.
“Then the way all the young lads pulled together in the One Day Cup was special. We all gelled together and bounced off each other.”
Darley also had another memorable experience when he scored his maiden century for the Seconds in the final Championship match of the season against Northamptonshire at Dunstable CC.
He said: “Not long ago my highest score was just two and then I got a 15, and then a 20 and it went on from there with the century.
“It was great batting with Henry Cullen while he got the highest ever score by a Worcestershire player for the Seconds in the Championship.
“That just helps with the confidence with your batting so hopefully I can develop that even more next year.
“I want to become more like an all-rounder. That would be really good.”
Darley is hoping he can earn opportunities in red ball cricket next summer.
He said: “I think red ball is more my strength with bowling but I also enjoy the white ball stuff.
“I’d like to play some red ball games next year if I can but it’s about just keep developing, keep working.
“It involves a lot more overs but I quite enjoy that, and it is a good challenge mentally and physically.”
