HARRY Brook says he remains keen to travel to Australia to play winter grade cricket if possible.
The Yorkshire batsman, who was born in Keighley but raised in Burley-in-Wharfedale, had been due to play his cricket for Hobart based Clarence CC, who play in the Cricket Tasmania Premier League.
However, obvious complications have arisen to jeopardise his trip.
“I’ve no idea what’s happening at the minute,” said the 21-year-old.
“I had quite a few things sorted, and then obviously Covid’s hit us. So I’m not really sure what I’m going to be doing. But, if I’m here (at home), I’ll be working hard on my game and trying to get fitter.
“I definitely want to go. I just want to play cricket.
“I’ve only played 14 games this year, and I need to get out and play some more.
“I’d just be bored at home, playing golf and stuff. There’s only so much of that you can do.
“I haven’t spoken to my agent about it recently, but he seems to think it’s going to be quite hard to get out there. I’ve got everything sorted – accommodation, club. It’s just whether the country will let me in.”
At present, only Australian citizens and returning permanent residents and their immediate family members are permitted to enter the country without an exemption.
All international travellers also need to undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine period.
The winter before last, the ex-England Under 19s captain travelled to Sydney to play for the University of New South Wales club, while team-mates Jordan Thompson (Mosman) and Matthew Waite (Bankstown) played elsewhere in the Harbour City.
Thompson has already cancelled plans to return to Mosman this winter.
Brook has a past link with Clarence, admitting: “My uncle went out there when he was younger, and I’ve got a bit of family out there as well.”
Brook has just enjoyed a hugely encouraging shortened county summer with Yorkshire, scoring 478 runs in four-day and T20 cricket from 16 innings.
He scored four fifties, with arguably the best of them saved until last - Sunday’s unbeaten 50 off 29 balls to help seal a last-ball Vitality Blast victory over Derbyshire at Emerald Headingley.
The Vikings recovered from 80-4 in the 12th over to chase down 168 thanks to him and Joe Root.
The former Sedbergh School pupil added: “I changed a few technical things over the winter, and that seems to be getting me into better positions.
“I’ve developed a trigger - a back-and-across movement which I feel has helped a lot.
“Before, I was falling over the ball a little bit, getting out lbw and bowled. My new trigger seems to have worked well so far.
“I also think I’m a lot more calm now and not putting as much pressure on myself, especially that innings I played against Derbyshire.”
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