SINCE signing his first professional contract, 19 year old Kian Roberts ,who graduated from the Somerset Academy early in the autumn, has been kept very busy.

The young all rounder, who hails from Cornwall and attended Taunton School, is coming to the end of his three months in Australia where he is playing grade cricket for Melbourne based side Brunswick CC.

Kian made his first team debut for Somerset during the summer during which he appeared in several of the Metro Bank One Day Cup matches

“Life has been pretty good for me out here and I’m really enjoying my time in Australia. I had about two weeks at the endo of the season before I came out here since when it’s been pretty much full on since landing and straight into it.”

During his time with Brunswick he has a best score of 54 not out while, with the ball, his best figures have been 4 for 54, while last weekend on the first day of a two day match he enjoyed more success with the ball “Yes that was the first time I’d been given the new ball and ended with 2 for 2 from 2.5 overs before the day ended.” Earlier Kian had scored 17 to help his side to 142 before reducing the opposition to 8 for 3.

“I would have liked to have got one or two more big scores but you can’t have it your way all the time, but the good thing is I’m out here and playing cricket.

“The pitches out here are a little bit different and maybe there is a little bit more moisture underneath but the cricket isn’t too dissimilar it feels a bit different but not sure why. The grounds are a bit bigger with a larger square which I’m not used to.”

Kian talked about how he has coped with fending for himself. “Living out here has been pretty nice and I’m enjoying looking after myself. It was a bit of a shock at first to have to go shopping for myself and do my own washing but I have got used to it now.

“At Brunswick I train twice a week and then I am around with all sorts of teams and help out with coaching at the training sessions and playing games on a Saturday.

“There is also a T20 coming up midweek which I’ve been lucky enough to be selected for so there is a lot to do out here and Brunswick is a very active and welcoming club.

Sadly Kian’s time out in Oz is coming to an end and he ie is due to fly home shortly, the day after his last game.

“Hopefully I can get a few more wickets this coming weekend and more runs in the last two T20s and then its back home.

“I have really enjoyed my time out here and it’s been such a great experience and I’d certainly come again.” So what does the rest of the winter programme hold in store for the young Cornishman? “I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into my first year of winter training with Somerset as professional and getting back with the boys and coaches and showing my skills and things I have developed out here over the last three months.”