The Christmas break gives an opportunity to find out what four Manicaland cricketers did overseas during last year's off-season.

Aleck Taylor spent the English summer in Ombersley, a village eight miles north of Worcester. Put in touch with local professional Damian D'Oliveira by Dave Houghton, he was flown over and accommodated at the local pub. His contract saw him playing two limited-over games over weekends plus a Thursday evening 12 (8-ball) -over league. He also volunteered for Worcester Gents on Wednesday evenings - a team containing former Worcestershire stars Tom Moody and Tim Curtis - playing and coaching school first elevens. He was also expected to coach the village Under-15s for three hours on Sunday mornings and the Ombersley second XI for three hours in the evenings. Twice a week he would train with Worcestershire seconds and his club allowed him to arrange private coaching in his own time. He also found part-time work on Ian Botham's brother-in-law's farm - driving tractors - and at the local pub. Helping the groundsman prepare and cut the club ground was also considered part of the job.

Kingsley Went played for Ely and Haddemham in Cambridge. He originally approached the club treasurer by e-mail and after his player profile on the ZCU web-site had been perused he was made an offer. He played a total of 22 games in a 48-over-a-side `straight cricket' league. The standard was equivalent to Zimbabwe second league, but the unfamiliar soft conditions tested his technique. He averaged over 40 with the bat and bowled plenty of off-spin. He was unimpressed with the club accommodation so found a house in nearby Sohm with three Australians and an Indian. He took part-time work as a labourer on a building site to supplement his cricket earnings.

Neil Ferreira had a season with Halifax (Kingcross), also playing 22 (50-over) Saturday afternoon games. The standard was as above and he also battled to come to terms with uncovered pitches and soft conditions. He had employed an Australian agent (through Dirk Viljoen) to find work but had received no response to a faxed resume up to the start of the English season. Resolving to find work himself, he had paid his flight when the agent finally came through. Halifax refunded the flight and a club member found him secretarial work during the week. He is undecided about returning next season - he may get his brother in Kent to find work for him there.

Richie Sims played for Helensburgh, a small town half an hour west of Glasgow. The weather was not good and the standard a bit low but he enjoyed the responsibilities of being club pro. Another 50-over format was played at weekends; his contract also saw him coaching Helensburgh schools after hours. He worked at reception at a youth hostel during the week and lived on site for free. Next season he will ask the Scottish Union to find him work in Edinburgh in a higher grade of cricket. If this fails he will go south to England in a bid to improve his game.

This Sunday Manicaland travel to Old Hararians to play Bulawayo Sports Club. The second team play the powerful Midlands seconds at Mutare Sports Club.

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