SOMERSET’S James Rew has barely had time to unpack his bags after returning from a three week training camp in South Africa before jetting off with the England Lions for Australia.

The wicket-keeper batter, who will celebrate his 21st birthday on 11th January, talked about his time in South Africa.

“It was a three week training camp with a large group of the Lions players and most of time we had middle practices facing the Lions bowlers and I was able to practice my keeping as well.

“It was very beneficial because it wasn’t just netting. I feel like you get a lot more out of facing bowlers out in the middle, and it was against some of the next best bowlers in England so I got a lot out of it facing those sort of bowlers.

“We were training at a club ground but the wickets were pretty good, quite bouncy, a bit more than we are used to, and a little bit of the usual nip with the new ball, but nothing too different except the bounce was the main thing.

“We played one game against South Africa A which was at a different club to where we had been training. It was a difficult wicket, a classic club wicket but the occasional one just bounced as well, which was a common theme. It was difficult to score as the outfield was quite slow and the pitch nipped quite a lot.

“They had a very good seam attack and just out-bowled us really, including Corbin Bosch who has just made his Test debut for South Africa.

“I was down to bat number three but Ben McKinney, our opener, did his finger so I got shifted up top which I’m not really used to but quite enjoyed the challenge. It was very different , but against the Kookaburra ball its not quite like facing a Dukes. They had a couple of quick bowlers so it was hard work up top. I didn’t do particularly well but enjoyed the challenge.”

James also snapped up seven catches in the match - “I got a few nice little nicks as well.”

“I got back from South Africa about 10 days before Christmas and have just enjoyed some down time with the family - Thomas is also home as well, and then we both jet off to different places, so it was good to spend a bit of time with him.”

James then talked about his forthcoming trip to Australia. He added: "We have got two games in Brisbane and then towards the end of the tour we transfer to Sydney to play one game there after which we fly back on the fourth or fifth of February."