Justin Gamble was racking up the air miles before he landed at Holmfirth.

The South African all-rounder who will be 19 next month was playing in Singapore before turning up at Bridge Fold.

He was man of the tournament for the Rowlin National Cricket Academy at the event before heading home to Benoni for just two days and then setting off again to Holmfirth.

Gamble is hoping to make a breakthrough into the first-class game in the next 12 months, so he’s focused on having the best season he can for Matt Gummerson’s side in the Drakes Premiership.

So far, he’s faced Hoylandswaine and Honley in league and cup matches respectively and watched it pour down to ruin any chance of a run-out against Scholes.

“It’s a little bit colder than I’m used to and it’s challenging – the wickets are certainly different,” smiled Gamble, who bowls left-arm orthodox and bats high in the order.

“The weather is going to take a little while to get used to but I’m sure it will be fine, and the lads at Holmfirth are great fun, they’ve all been really accommodating and helpful and they are really good people.”

Gamble admits he knew nothing about the Drakes League until the invitation came to join Holmfirth and his only previous visit to this country, when he was 13, was on a cricket tour based in Southampton.

“The grounds are a good bit smaller than what I’m used to, so bowling is a challenge, and I’ve had a couple of starts with the bat, felt quite good and then got out to silly shots, so I’m looking to improve on that,” he explained.

“The tournament in Singapore and Malaysia was a T20, which I enjoyed, and then we got home on the Tuesday and I flew here on the Thursday before playing against Hoylandswaine and Honley.

“The results didn’t go for us, but it will come right and I’m looking forward to playing more matches.

“My aim is to play well and perform for the team, because I am looking to get into the first-class set-up back home.

“If I play well here then I might get a look-in there for the next season and be able to play some first-class games at home.”

Gamble played throughout the age-groups for Easterns, the semi-professional team, and if he makes the senior grade then he could move on to the franchise team, the Titans.

““I’ve just finished high school, which is college here, and I’m going to try cricket for a year and see where it takes me,” he added.

“If I can make a breakthrough then maybe I will continue to study on the side, if not, then maybe I’ll go back to studying next year.”

Gamble watches the national side in Pretoria and Johannesburg and likes the fact they are very fan orientated.

“We don’t see them too often in Benoni, but they are an inspiration for everyone back home,” he explained.

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