"It's been an eye-opening few months" - Will Tavare on his time in Sri Lanka
5 February 2015
After an impressive debut season, batsman Will Tavare was given the chance by the England Performance Programme to spend the winter in Sri Lanka playing for Colts Cricket Club.
Three months into his four month stay he reflects on his time out in Colombo...
It has certainly been an eye opening few months since arriving in November.
One of the things I had no idea about before arriving was that the guys out here don't get paid enough to sustain a living. This means the majority have to work around training.
I cannot describe how hot and humid it is here and when training is finished - and they don't take it lightly - they get suited up and head to their various jobs while I head back to my hotel for a gym and pool session.
Around eight of the lads sleep at the ground in an unconditioned room above the sports hall under a tin roof. But despite all this I rarely hear them complain and they just love what they do! I have gained an ultimate respect for these lads and they have all been so accommodating.
To begin with I spent two weeks training with my club in the morning or afternoon and if it wasn't raining - which it did a lot - I would try and join the other England Performance Programme (EPP) lads via tuk tuk and get some time in the nets. We were helped by (former England spinner) Robert Croft who did his best to get me and Ben Foakes from Surrey used to the conditions as quickly as possible.
Before Christmas there was a one day competition and the standard of cricket was seriously high. I have been lucky enough to play alongside five lads who have represented Sri Lanka including Shaminda Eranga, Suranga Lakmal and Channaka Welegedera who is the club captain.
In my first game I got to face Sri Lanka internationals Fernando and the off spinner Sachithra Senanayake who was just back playing after having to remodel his action.
As well as getting used to the wickets I've also had to get used to not being able to understand pretty much everything that is said throughout the day as well as the team talk. My ability to learn a language is almost at zero even though the guys here have tried their best to teach me Singhalese!
I managed to return home for Christmas for a few weeks with the family.I thought it was appropriate not to warn my mum and majority of my family of my return which made for a nice surprise! After this brief trip home I returned to Colombo for the three day competition.
It has been a tough few months, but it has been great to meet the likes of (EPP coaches) Graham Thorpe, Andy Flower, Croft, Peter Such and some of the EPP players and see their attitudes and opinions towards the game.
I return to Bristol in March and for now I'm going to try get more than four points off (Essex allrounder) Tom Westley and try not to lose to (Durham’s) Scott Borthwick on the squash court.
Of course I will also be spending a serious amount of time in the nets and gym so that I'm fully prepared for when I return.
I look forward to seeing you all then,
Tav
