Ben Foakes is hoping the experience of playing in foreign conditions this winter will help improve him as a player ahead of his move to Surrey.
The former Essex wicketkeeper was sent to Sri Lanka to play for Colts Cricket Club in the domestic game after being identified by the England Performance Programme as one of four players who would benefit from the experience.
The 21-year-old said he is looking forward to standing on his own two feet in foreign conditions, telling ecb.co.uk:“I’ve had a lot of tours and stuff where I’ve had things put in place for me and been told what to do a little bit.
“To be on my own, hopefully I can learn a little bit about myself and my game and hopefully come out better at the end of it.
“I was quite curious how it would go, with the language barriers and stuff, but it has been brilliant and they’ve all made me feel very welcome.”
However, it’s not all about the experience for Foakes. He is out there to improve as a cricketer and he says it is a challenge he is relishing.
He said: “I’ve come out here for a bit of experience. Just trying to get used to Sri Lankan conditions and get used to playing all around the world.
“These are some of the most difficult conditions you can play in so as far as spin goes it’s a great opportunity and hopefully one I can take.”
Wicketkeeper-batsman Foakes added: “It’s great for my keeping, being out here. It’s renowned as one of the tougher places to keep and that’s one of the main points I’m here.
“From a batting point of view it is tough. I’ve only had four or five hits so far so I’m still getting used to it.
“Just trying to get used to all the variations and how differently they bowl from back home is a challenge but one I’m looking forward to and hopefully be able to live up to.”
The youngster, who is due to play in both the domestic one-day and three-day competitions, admitted he has been taken aback by the standard of cricket.
“That’s one thing that has surprised me out here. I was expecting a high standard but the level is incredible,” he said.
“In our side alone we have about two or three Sri Lanka players playing all the time and six or seven Sri Lanka A players which shows how good the standard is and in their conditions it’s very tough trying to live up to their standards.”
It has already been a hard winter for Foakes. After sealing a move to the Kia Oval, he joined up with the EPP squad to do some fitness training before joining the Colts.
The sessions certainly made an impression on him, adding: “I had three or four weeks with them (EPP) before I came here and it was quite a shock to say the least.
“We were doing two sessions a day of fitness, cage fighting, military training and that sort of stuff which wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. It was a big change but it is good for us.”
On the move to Surrey, he added: “I still find it daunting walking up to the gates.
“It’s one of the best grounds in the country. Essex is quite a small family club and I’m going to the Oval where there is maybe a little bit more pressure and expectancy on you, but all the guys and staff have been brilliant so far.”
Two weeks of training done @surreycricket and loving it so far! And what a place to go to work! pic.twitter.com/LQo21FxV8E
— Ben Foakes (@Foakesey04) November 14, 2014