By Tara Murray
Bacchus Marsh’s Alex Porter will tick an item off his bucket list when he heads to England to play cricket this year.
The 20-year-old will play with Houghton Main Cricket Club in the South Yorkshire Cricket League after being awarded the Cricket Willow UK Scholarship.
The scholarship, open to cricketers in the Central Highlands region between the ages of 19 and 28, gives the players selected opportunities to further their game overseas.
Porter said he was thrilled.
Among the reasons he was selected were his contributions both on and off the field at Bacchus Marsh.
“I found out just before Christmas that I had been the successful applicant,” he said.
“I’ve only ever played locally and I’ve always wanted to play overseas. It’s an opportunity I wasn’t going to turn down.
“Any opportunity you get to play overseas is great.”
While in England, Porter is hoping to take in the ICC World Cup and Ashes.
He said that was one of the major attractions of applying for the scholarship this time round.
The scholarship success comes after Porter’s break-out start to the season with Bacchus Marsh in Gisborne and District Cricket Association Premier Firsts.
Before Christmas, Porter had made 315 runs, the fifth most in the competition, at an average of 45 including his first top-grade century.
Porter said he was enjoying working under first year captain-coach James Lidgett.
“I’m very happy working under James,” he said.
“He has been fantastic for me and worked hard at my game to fine-tune some things.
“Hopefully, I’ll be able to finish the season well and take some strong form over there.”
As well as playing in England, Porter said he would like to get involved behind the scenes at his club.
Porter is studying for a bachelor of sport management and business at Federation University in Ballarat and has taken on the secretary role at Bacchus Marsh.
“I’d love to get involved over there and bring back some things likes policies and procedures to hopefully improve Bacchus Marsh,” he
said.
“I’ve been studying business and sport management and I thought being secretary was a good entry level role and I can give something back to the club in the process.
“I spent a fair part of my summer at the club anyway and I love it. It’s really rewarding getting involved behind the scenes.”
Included in the scholarship are return airfares to the UK, assistance with accommodation and employment, a full kit of Jabaroo cricket gear valued at $1000 and club membership with Houghton Main Cricket Club.
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