Mark Richardson is heading to England for the winter as he builds up for two of his great cricketing challenges: playing on the subcontinent and then in Australia.
He is going to London for regular cricket and possibly a sneak preview of the Australian bowling attack before the New Zealanders' three-match
test series across the Tasman in November.
Richardson hopes to play for the small West London club Datchet with the chance of an invitation to join the MCC side to play the champion Australians on their Ashes tour.
New Zealand's test players have no cricket from the end of this week's test against Pakistan until September, when they make a return three-match test tour.
"I want to still be in the environment leading up to the Pakistan series, rather than coming straight out of winter," Richardson said.
"I've had unofficial word I might get a go against the Australians at Arundel ... it would be nice to play some good cricket over there."
- NZPA
