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Chilton pads up for Aussie debut

Graham Hardcastle
4/10/2008

FORMER Lancashire captain Mark Chilton starts a six-month spell in Australia today by opening for the University of Melbourne Cricket Club.

The 31-year-old batsman says a lack of match-practice played a big part in the decision to spend the winter playing in the Victorian Premier League.

Only last Saturday, Chilton was helping Lancashire put the finishing touches to a win against Somerset at Taunton, with a fluent 97.

Today, he will be battling jet-lag in the same league in which former Lancashire overseas batsman Brad Hodge plays his grade cricket.

"It will be quite a challenge getting over the jet-lag," said Chilton, who left Manchester for Melbourne with his wife Hayley and baby daughter Bethan Rose just 72 hours ago.

"But I don't feel particularly fatigued this year, certainly not like the last three.

"I haven't played that much cricket. I am looking forward to it out there.

"The Australian challenge is always a stiff one, the fans are are always pretty vocal out there. But it is a chance to get away, to enjoy some time over there.

"We have had a pretty poor summer over here, so all the family are looking forward to it.

"It looks a good opportunity. I am enthused by the challenge, and hopefully I can work on fitness and my cricket over there.

"It is the Grade A competition, the same one that Hodgey plays in. He plays for Melbourne when he is not playing for Victoria.

"It sounds like a very good club. They have all been quite helpful. I will be taking on a bit of a coaching role over there because a lot of the guys are quite young."

Chilton, who stepped down as captain at the end of 2007 because of a lack of form, only played six Championship matches in summer.

The former Manchester Grammar School pupil played two games towards the start of the season, against Durham at Old Trafford and Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, before regaining his place for the last four games of the season when Lancashire clawed themselves out of the relegation zone.

He finished strongly with a gutsy 102 against Kent at Canterbury, before notching that eye-catching 97 this time last week.

But he refused to be drawn on whether it was the kind of form to secure his spot at the top of the order for 2009.

"I haven't really got a view on that right now," he said.

"I have proved to myself, and to other people, that I can play at this level.

"In no uncertain terms, I hope to get more opportunities next year than I have this."

Chilton's wife Hayley is expecting their second child around March.

And, if all things go as planned, the baby will be born in Australia.

Chilton added: "I am not too sure what the rules are, but having a dual passport can be no bad thing if that is to be the case."