NICHOLS Point’s two English imports are settling into life in Australia and at the club as the First Division side eyes shaking off its semi-final hoodoo this season.
The duo arrived in Australia in September, with wicketkeeper-batsman Theo Todhunter hailing from Wiltshire and batsman Ben Whitton from Worcestershire.
They are living together and working locally, Todhunter in construction and Whitton in retail.
It is the duo’s first season abroad for cricket, although Whitton, 20, has travelled for cricket tours elsewhere in Asia.
Todhunter, 21, launched his season with two takes with the gloves and a run-out assist in the club’s round 1 win over Coomealla Wentworth.
Whitton has made a few starts in the side’s middle order but has been unable to go on with it, despite adjusting well to the Aussie summer.
“The first couple of weeks you’re like ‘this is quite hot’ but then you just get on with it and it just becomes pretty normal,” he said.
“So far it hasn’t been too bad, although I haven’t batted long enough to be overheating.
“Hopefully in the second half of the season I can experience some overheating.”
Todhunter has put some handy scores together, including knocks of 37 and 35, as the patient operator opens in the two-day contests and slips down the order in the one-dayers to make way for more powerful hitters.
He said he liked the prospects of the side going at least one better, after bowing out in the semi-finals the past two seasons.
The side is currently well positioned in second, with the top four having opened a gap from the chasing pack.
“We’re looking to get into the finals at least, and hopefully get to a grand final,” he said.
“Jobbo (Riley Jobson) has been doing really well and Shan (Shannon Bowen) has been scoring runs.
“I think we’re a good chance.”
The duo, who had never met before coming to Australia, have become close friends and were having no problem with a more remote setting than they are used to.
They have been happy to get on a plane to see parts of the country on their first visit, which has included a trip to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test.
And they are glad they landed with the Sunraysia Cricket Association club after registering with Cricketer Exchange.
“It’s a good bunch of lads; first, seconds and all the way through the club,” Whitton said.
“Everyone at the club has been so helpful and made mine and Theo’s time so easy. It’s been really enjoyable.
“And it’s a really good standard of cricket, which makes it heaps more enjoyable.”
