Aaron Crispe has made a very favourable impression at Honley.

The 24-year-old says he feels blessed to have joined such a solid set-up on his first trip to these shores.

And the off-spinning batsman hopes to learn enough about conditions here to make a big contribution with both bat and ball.

“You can get four seasons in the one day here with the weather, but I’m pretty used to that coming from Melbourne,” he smiled.

“I’ve settled in really well considering it’s my first time away from home for any major period of time, and it’s been nice that people have been asking how I’m going – so I think I’m lucky to have come to a pretty good place.

“I’ve always wanted to come to England to play, and I didn’t want to stay at home and then get to say 35 and look back wishing that I’d taken the chance when I had it.

“I’ve had a few mates who’ve been over, so I just wanted to experience it and try and improve myself both as a person and a cricketer.”

Crispe was put in touch with Honley via former Victoria bowler Brendan McArdle.

“He’s sent six or seven players over this year and I’m certainly aiming to enjoy myself at Honley,” added Crispe, who did Sports Science at university before working in his brother’s landscaping business.

“I’m an off-spinner mainly and, back home, I’ve shuffled around the batting order a fair bit, but I’m hoping to get my share of runs.

“The main thing for me is to enjoy playing some good, competitive cricket, to get used to playing in different conditions and to go back home having learned more about the game.”

Northcote have a young side who, like Honley, are hoping to progress solidly in the next few years.

“We play in the District comp back home and we’ve had the same group now for a couple of years and we are starting to build,” he explained.

“Our Seconds have always been successful and our Firsts are now starting to climb the ladder a bit more.

“Hopefully in the next couple of years, if we can all stick together and have a bit of continuity in the group, we can start to push up the ladder.

“We have the talent to do that, it’s just a matter of actually doing it.”