DOM Bandara believes exposure to a new climate and set of challenges in cricket’s homeland will aid his growth as a middle-order batsman.
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The Warrnambool cricketer, now attending the prestigious Melbourne Grammar, is touring the United Kingdom with the school’s cricket team.
His maiden hit, against a Canterbury-based school on Monday, yielded a score of 29 not out in overcast conditions.
It was the first of 15 fixtures against a host of British private schools over a three-week period.
Bandara’s venture to England capped a stellar week for the 16-year-old. He also learned he had been named as the Western Waves under 16 male player of the year.
“The email actually arrived on my birthday, my dad (Jayaweera Bandara) forward it through. It was pretty cool to see,” he said.
“This trip to England will be great. I’m thinking I’ll be able to build a different part of my game with the conditions, and by facing new bowlers.
“I’ll be focusing on my batting (in England), that’s definitely where I’ve been putting my focus at training."
Bandara, who last season juggled Victorian Premier Cricket duties with time at Russells Creek, is expected to line up with Melbourne Cricket Club for a second season in 2017-18.
“Last season was fairly busy, with under 17 country week and the state championships with the Western Waves,” he said.
“I also put a fair bit of time into school cricket, so it was nonstop.”