Horspath CC have been pleased to welcome Lachlan Biggs as the club's overseas player-coach this season. Club press officer Russell Smith caught up with 'Lachie' after Saturday's win over Dinton to find out how he's finding life with the 'Path. He started off by asking him how he first got into cricket in his hometown of Brisbane.
"It was in the backyard at home with my dad, Wade, throwing me balls," he says. "I have always played since I was a kid and have always loved it, since I was a five or six-year-old.
"I played junior stuff back home for UQ (University of Queensland CC) and then I moved clubs a couple of times.
"I played for Western Suburbs District CC from 15-18 and then I moved to South Brisbane Districts CC last season.
"I have always been a wicketkeeper/batsman. I was never a good bowler. My dad always made sure I did two things, kept wicket and batted.
"In junior cricket I played a lot of sport at school. I played there from high school. I was in their 1st XI, and I played a bit of representative stuff for Queensland boys for a couple of years.
"I've always played club cricket at junior levels, and I played in the Lord's Taverners Under 17 competition."
Lachie, now 19, made a smooth transition from youth cricket to adult cricket, moving through the grades.
"I played 6th Grade when I was 15 and I quickly ended up in 4th Grade that year before I debuted in 1st Grade (in the Queensland Premier competition) last season," he explains. "I moved clubs to get that opportunity.
"It was great making my debut. I made 27no batting at No 7 and then I took a catch, so that was good."
Lachie had earned his chance after impressing in 2nd Grade fixtures.
"I started off the season well and was leading run scorer in the 2nd Grade team at Christmas," he says.
"My top score was 97 in the 2s. I couldn't quite get to three figures (he was run out by a direct hit). I had a couple more 50s and a lot of starts when I made 20s and 30s, so that was pretty frustrating."
Looking to broaden his experience and improve his game, Lachie was keen to test himself in England, and jumped at the chance to join Horspath this season when the opportunity presented itself, with the club indebted to Richard Hofen for helping out with his accommodation.
"My friend, Noah, back home has an agent and he spoke to him, and he got me a gig here," he says. "I got in contact with Will (Eason). He said 'we are really keen to have you over here, we need a wicketkeeper/batsman', and I thought definitely.
"I have enjoyed it. Everyone at the club is really nice and have made me welcome. We are undefeated so far, so we couldn't have asked for a better start for the team.
"It is probably not quite the level back home and definitely not 1st Grade where it gets pretty competitive. The first team here would be a decent 2nd Grade side."
A left-handed batsman, Lachie has been quick to impress for Horspath with a top score so far of an unbeaten 46 in the seven-wicket win at Westbury plus six catches and two stumpings.
"It is an opportunity to get better and just to improve as much as I can, especially with the keeping," he says. "I'll try to score as many runs as I can and help the team get promoted for next year. I want to learn as much as I can."
At the same time, he is having to adapt to the different pitches and conditions - both with his batting and wicketkeeping.
"It's definitely a lot slower," he says. "It doesn't bounce as much either and the ball swings a lot more here. It is more front foot orientated. To score runs you have got to play straight for longer. Back home there is a lot more short-ball stuff, and you stand back to everyone apart from the spinners, but here you can stand up to the seamers and it keeps slower and lower."
A Level 1 coach, Lachie is also looking to help the club's youngsters.
"I have enjoyed it so far," he says. "I have been with the under 15s on Tuesdays and the under 11s on Wednesdays and on Fridays there is the All Stars and Dynamos."
He is keen to do more coaching sessions as the summer unfolds. Anyone interested can catch up with Lachie on training evenings at the Rec.