HAWKESBURY first grade batsman Dale McKay is showing the English a thing or two during his current stint for Formby Cricket Club.
McKay is playing during the English summer as the BBM Scholarship player, a program run in partnership with Cricket NSW and the Formby Cricket Club in Lancashire – just half an hour north of Liverpool.
The player must be under 23 and McKay was chosen by the club over a couple of other applicants. A teammate who had previously been on the scholarship encouraged him to apply while the two were playing cricket in Melbourne earlier last season.
And so far Formby would be more than happy with McKay’s performances after scores of 95 not out, 5 and 154 not out at an average of 254.
McKay told the Gazette from England that he was enjoying the English style of play, which he had adjusted to quickly.
“The standard is not quite as good as first grade back home, however it is still a great opportunity to practise my skills and develop my game,” he said.
“The conditions are much colder and the pitches are not as fast as ours back home, which provides new challenges.”
McKay, who scored 616 runs for first grade in all competitions last season, will fly back to Australia just five days before the 2014/15 Sydney Grade Cricket competition starts.
McKay also played for the NSW Second XI side against Victoria in Melbourne last season thanks to some good form which included a century and a 99 early in the 2013/14 season.