HARVEY Ault always wanted to play cricket in Australia, and is grabbing the chance with both hands.
The 21-year-old Englishman from Stoke-on-Trent is loving his time in Mildura, and plying his trade with Mildura Settlers.
Personal connections with previous English imports to Sunraysia Cricket Association, plus Settlers’ Jason Morrison having played for his club, convinced him to give his Aussie adventure a go.
The bowling all-rounder came in from a strong season with Endon in Division 1 of the North Staffs and South Cheshire League, having taken 40 wickets across the campaign.
Ault has also had experience with Staffordshire and Derbyshire at county level.
“I’ve only ever had one goal and that’s to play cricket in Australia,” he said.
“Jason Morrison played for my club back home so we had that connection. I know a few lads from back home came to play in the Sunraysia league probably four or five years ago now. They said it was a nice place, so I thought there’s no better place to go.”
While the wet conditions are slightly different from his initial expectations, he has settled into life Down Under well having taken seven wickets and made 64 runs so far for the campaign.
“It could be better but (I’ve been) pretty consistent,” he said.
“I haven’t gone for many runs but probably haven’t taken as many wickets as I would like. I’ve got a couple starts batting, it will come.”
Perhaps more so than other imports, Ault is keeping a close eye on the centre wickets Sunraysia has to offer.
Back home the Stoke City football fan is a cricket curator of two pitches, although potentially another half dozen or more could come next year. He is also a greenskeeper at the picturesque Greenway Hall Golf Club.
He is continuing similar work while in Mildura working under Glen “Aussie” Cumming at Oasis Unmatched, who are laying turf on the second oval at Mildura Sporting Precinct, as well as preparing the main wicket for cricket action in the coming weeks.
“It’s just being outside all the time, especially doing something you love,” he said.
“There’s nothing better than preparing a wicket and going out on a Saturday and scoring runs or taking wickets on it or your team winning. There’s no better feeling than producing a belter.
“Here may be a bit different, but at home there’s nothing wrong with a green seamer,” he laughed, “but you want to have something that’s got a bit in it for batters and a bit in it for bowlers and as long as it’s a good wicket all round.
“Working with “Aussie” and the guys has been awesome.”
Mildura Settlers were at home to Mildura West this week.
