Josh Dallimore is not the first Australian bowler to wrestle with English conditions, and he won’t be the last.
But the 6ft 5in opener from Perth is enjoying the challenge with Elland and looking forward to widening his skill set in the Drakes Premiership.
Dallimore – Perth born and bred and studying natural resource management at the University of Western Australia, is actually in England a year ahead of his schedule, having got the nod from skipper Robin Broom (himself a former UWA player) that Elland needed a bowler.
“Robin got in touch with my coach back home and I was asked if I was interested, so I was lucky with how it all panned out,” said the 21-year-old Dallimore.
“I have to admit I knew nothing about Huddersfield or the Drakes League, but I decided to put my studies on hold for a year back home, come and have a season in England and give it a crack.
“From what I’ve seen so far, the Drakes is a very good standard, but it’s a bit different to what we have at home.
“We play four teams in each club, whereas it’s only two here, but I have been impressed with the standard and there are some very, very good players in the Premiership.”
Dallimore prefers the Aussie system of 90-over cricket played over two weekends, but is determined to learn as much as he can about the 50-over game.
“It’s good to practice the shorter format because we don’t get too much of that, so I’ve just been bowling by overs and aiming to do as much damage as I can,” said the player who is living in student accommodation in Huddersfield town centre.
“It’s really hard, though, because the conditions are so different to Perth, with it being much colder here and the wickets much softer.
“It is so different that I initially struggled with it, especially in the opening rounds, but I am slowly getting used to things and getting into the swing of it – but you’ve certainly got to bowl a very different length to back home!
“The things I’m learning, though, will be invaluable and it’s a great experience all round.”
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So what is first-grade cricket like in Perth?
“With the club we are getting there, but we have struggled a bit for a couple of years,” he said.
“I’ve been at the club for a couple of years and the first season we were 14th out of 16. “Last season we were 10th, so we are going in the right direction with a core group together.
“Premier cricket in Western Australia is a very high standard, though. A lot of first-class players are involved if they are not playing for their State or the country.
“I play in the same team as Ashton Agar, so a lot of big names play in the league and it’s a hard competition.”
Dallimore has trained with the WA Development squad but nothing more. He would like to press those ambitions, but admits it’s “a little way off yet”.
Skipper Broom believes he has plenty of pace and talent to develop.
“Josh has played two seasons of first grade in Australia and it’s just a matter of him getting used to the conditions here,” said Broom.
“He has got a bit of pace behind him, he has the height as well and he’s already got experience of playing at a very good standard.
“He is from my old club, which is how we know him and why we got him over, and when he’s in his rhythm he’s pretty quick.”
