English batter plays for local club
CHARLIE Prudence has travelled all the way from Essex to tick off a bucket list goal to play in Australia while in the peak of his athletic career.
The 27-year-old’s dream to play in Australia always seemed like a pipe dream- that was until Glasshouse Cricket Club player, Jack Whisker, played in Charlie’s team, the Springfield Cricket Club.
From there, he made a connection to play for a season in Glasshouse’s first grade men’s team.
“I basically always wanted to do it probably from when I was 18, but I didn’t have the means or the contacts to do it,” he said.
“I love the country, the country is amazing, the cricket is good and tough, very different to how it is back home, a different challenge to what I’m used to but I’m loving it.”
Prudence has found the level of playing and competition here is differs from England, but has found his experience enjoyable so far.
“I think the standard is probably slightly higher than what I was playing in England, it ranges really because we had a bit of a mix last season in Essex,” he said.
“I’d say it would be close to the teams we were playing against who were finishing at the top with us over in Essex.
The English batter has been playing since he was 10 years old, playing in Essex his whole life, and since playing in Australia has found himself flexing a different athletic muscle.
“I was in Essex youth teams growing up, who were one of the professional junior sides in England, but I made it up to the academy level and played games for the Essex academy,” he said.
“I was only batting in England but I seem to be bowling a bit more than I’m used to over here so I guess I am an all rounder now, I’ve just been bowling at a medium pace.”
Charlie and his partner are both living and working at the local pineapple farms while he plays cricket for Glasshouse.
He thanked the club for all the help to make this temporary stay in Australia possible.
“I’ve come across with my girlfriend which has been good, and it’s been great for Glasshouse to accommodate that as well and find accommodation for both of us which has been fantastic,” he said. “I can’t really thank them enough.”
Prudence also found he has been accepted to the team with open arms.
“Everyone has been really good to me, really friendly, I already feel part of the team and I went well in the T20 games, scored a decent number of runs,” he said.
“I’m still adjusting to the two day games which is very different to England, hopefully I can get a few scores under my belt before the end of the season.”
Charlie will play for Glasshouse until the end of March next year.