HENRY Walker couldn't be further from home if he tried.
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The Dennington import is 16838 kilometres from his home club, Carlisle, in England's far north.
He's only been on Australian soil for one week - but is already feeling comfortable in red and white.
"It's cold and wet where I'm from, so I'd to play the game in a different sort of way," Walker told The Standard.
"There's normally three or four games you miss a season (in Carlisle) through rain.
"The deck we played on Saturday (against Brierly-Christ Church) was a lot harder than I'm used to. I'm used to playing on pitches that are low and slow. It came through well out there.
"Back home you're playing a lot more back foot shots and moving around the crease a bit more. I think playing here will improve my game."
The 19-year-old is living with Dennington coach Dustin Drew and will pick up work as a bartender at Rafferty's Tavern.
I think playing here will improve my game.
- Henry Walker
But it's not just cricket and work that lured Walker 'down under'.
The chance to see the world - his brother calls Sydney home - was a key factor in the decision.
"I've always wanted to go travelling and I get to see a bit more of the world this way," Walker said.
"I'm sort of mixing the two together, doing what I like (cricket) and seeing a bit more.
"I'm planning on going up to Sydney to see my brother over Christmas time and then I'll hopefully come back down here and make finals.
"Mum and dad have two kids out here and two kids back home. They're on about coming out here so it could be a bit of a family reunion."
Walker is another young addition to a club brimming with fledgling talent.
His Dennington family has welcomed the bowling all-rounder with open arms.
"They're a great bunch of lads, there's a really good mix," Walker said.
"It's been the perfect club to come to. It's a great family club and everyone just mixes so well. There's no bad blood in the team at all."
Dogs mentor Dustin Drew said Walker fitted Dennington's average age bracket.
"We put no expectations on him or anything. He's only been out here a week but it feels like he's been out here a lot longer," he said.
"There are no limits or expectations put on him."
Drew said his club was keen to secure another Englishman based on Chris Cheslin's success last season.
"We've had Sri Lankan imports for as long as I've been playing at Dennington," he said.
"Chris took something like 35 wickets last season but we definitely don't expect Henry to do that.
"Having an import adds a bit to the club and we have a fair few young guys this year, so he fits our club."
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