A NUMBER of Herefordshire cricketers have been ensuring that they are in good shape for the 2014 season by wintering in the Antipodes.

The county side could almost field a full Xl Down Under from the players who are showing off their skills in Grade cricket.

The majority are affiliated to clubs in Victoria where Charlie Walker, who had a fine season for the county in 2013, has carried on his good form as professional at Balwyn.

He tops the batting averages with 355 runs at an average of 59.17 and with a top score of 113 not out.

He also leads the bowling averages and has picked up 15 wickets with a best of 4/28.

All-rounder Brad Wadlan is playing for Western Park where his batting skills also see him topping the club's averages with 300 runs and a top-score of 64.

He has also chipped in with eight wickets to underline his value to the side.

Former player Tom Glover (Strathmerton), Liam Gwynne (Bamawm-Lockington United) and Nitesh Patel (North Balwyn) are also in Victoria, as is Mohammed Pardesi, whose leg-spin has met with variable results with five of his eight victims coming in one match.

Callum Stewart and Nick Powell are also waving the county flag in Victoria where they have teamed up at Buln Buln.

Brockhampton opening bowler Stewart has scored 88 runs at 14.67 but his main value has come as a bowler, with 11 wickets at 14 and a best of 4-15, from 22 overs, in the match against Jindivick where Powell also starred, making an unbeaten 59, his top score of the season.

Powell has 136 runs at an average of 27.20 to add to 11 wickets at just 8.09, with a best of 5-21.

Ben Stebbings is on the other side of the country in Western Australia where he has piled up 319 runs at an average of 45.57, with a top-score of 133.

Andrew Kimberlin is also out west with Hay Park where he has 166 runs at 18.44 and nine wickets at an average of 32.78.