TIM Rees jets out to Australia this week for the latest and most important stage to date of his cricket education.

The 16-year-old Canon Slade pupil, who plays for Bolton League side Eagley, has been selected for the England under 17s squad playing a Test against the Australian under 17s and two one-day matches against the South Australia state side at the Adelaide Oval.

The squad will be based at the Australian Institute of Sport Cricket Academy, which under chief coach Rod Marsh, is acknowledged to be responsible for Australia's dominance of world cricket.

They will use facilities there for training, practice and sports psychology under the guidance of the Australian coaching staff and English Cricket Board coaches. There are plans to have an English Academy based at Bisham Abbey and the Australian model will play a large part in that development.

Tim returns in mid-April when he will get down to his preparations for the new season at Eagley.

There he is looking forward to the return of professional Ian Mitchell, the South African who was at the club two years ago, and also renewing his acquaintance with Shahid Mahboob who coached him as a junior at Astley Bridge.