By RUSSELL SMITH OXFORDSHIRE batsman Ben Thompson is spending the winter Down Under in a bid to further his cricketing ambitions - after placing an advert on the Internet.

The talented 18-year-old strokemaker has taken a year off from his studies to play for club side Tasmania University in the Tasmania District League.

Thompson, who left Magdalen College School in July and will take up a place at Exeter University next September studying Business Economics, said: "Someone suggested I have a year off and go and teach in New Zealand, but I thought rather than teach, I would just play instead.

"I just put an advert on the cricket info site and I had about seven replies - one from Argentina and the rest from Australia and New Zealand."

Thompson, who lives in Horspath and played for the village club before joining Oxford last season, was encouraged to opt for Hobart-based Tasmania University in the hope that it could lead to a contract with a first-class county in England next year. Their coach is Enrico Di Venuto, father of Michael Di Venuto, who played for Sussex this season.

"A guy who played there last year got a contract at Derbyshire and Enrico sorted it out for him," explained Thompson, who at the age of 17 last year became the youngest player to score a century for Oxfordshire.

"We will see what happens. Hopefully, I am looking to get a contract. If not, I will have a full season with Oxfordshire."

Thompson made his debut for Tasmania University 2nds last Saturday - just three hours after stepping off the plane from Heathrow.

He took the field as they bowled out their opponents for 185, but with jet lag taking its toll, declined an early batting opportunity as his new teammates stumbled to 23-2.

Refreshed after a week's break, he will have his first knock this weekend when the Grade game - matches are played over two consecuitve Saturdays - is completed. When he starts playing 1st XI cricket, he can expect to come up against some of Australia's star players.

"I think David Boon is still playing and both Di Venuto brothers play, but for another team," said Thompson, who made a good impression while playing for Middlesex 2nd XI last season.

"Just by playing all the year round I hope to improve my general technique, and hopefully I will be bowling a bit more, especially with the longer type of games."

Story date: Saturday 23 October

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