Glamorgan Abroad Update: Salter's Sydney Experience

In the latest in a series of updates from Glamorgan players out in Australia this winter, find out how Andrew Salter is getting on down under

Andrew writes: Having taken part and experienced the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in Adelaide last winter I was thoroughly looking forward to coming back out to Australia for 2015/16.

I believe the academy was brilliant in developing me as a cricketer whilst gaining some life experiences. That said, I've loved the change this winter (Aussie summer) in terms of having greater responsibility to improve my own fitness and skills. Being allocated out west of the city (towards the outback) there isn't much city life or unfortunately beaches! I've been lucky to be put up by the 'Bursa' family with two dogs 'Henry' and 'Frankie' and they're making me feel at home.

It's fair to say out west it's been hot and fitness training hasn't been the easiest, but so far I'm achieving my best fitness levels and I'm look forward to showing Tom Turner, the Glamorgan S&C coach my progress after all the discussions we have over skipping 'leg day'.

Cricket specific, I'm playing first grade with Blacktown CC and have started well scoring 88 on my 2-day debut and following that up with 48 last weekend. The nature of the wickets and balls we've been using so far hasn't given the bowling teams too much assistance so I've had some big spells including some thirty plus overs which is ensuring I get my rhythm whilst keeping the economy rate low. This opportunity is proving great to work on bowling aspects I've previously been working with Crofty on.

Outside of cricket, I have purchased a beautiful, reliable and quite honestly stunning 1991 Toyota Camry which if you follow me on Instagram and Twitter (@andysalts) you would have seen plenty of. This has allowed me to get to the beaches whenever I can and enjoy the lifestyle Australia can offer. I'm still yet to get some surfing lessons after Hoges gave me 'schooling' at the indoor surf centre in Cardiff last year, but that's on the to-do list. Hopefully I'll be able to find time and some extra mileage in the car to travel north and catch Hoges in Newcastle where we can catch up and probably cook some prawns on the barbi.

There's a couple of English county players lurking around Sydney so I've been able to catch up with them and it's interesting to see how they go about the winter abroad. Saying that I caught up with ex Cardiff MCCU and Kent cricketer Fabian Cowdrey who is living in the city. I must say it was awesome to enjoy some food down at Circular Quay and Darling Harbour with the Opera House and Sydney Bridge in the background.

I hope the pictures show how my winter is shaping up, but so far it's been another great opportunity and I'm loving it. Being able to balance competitive cricket, intense training and catching the rays down Bondi has been just about right. I look forward to Christmas and New Years here and the rest of the trip but more importantly coming back a better player with some form.

Cheers,
Salts