NETHERFIELD spinner Brad Earl says he cannot wait to touch back down on English soil and insists his game has improved massively while chancing his arm Down Under.

Earl left the wintry weather of Cumbria for St Barnabus Cricket Club in Melbourne in October last year.

And with the Northern Premier League campaign fast approaching, the left-arm spinner hopes he can translate what he has learnt so far in Australia to his game at Parkside Road.

"I think my game is in really good shape for my return to Netherfield," said Earl. "I have worked on a couple of aspects of my action and it has really benefited me in terms of the spin I am getting on the ball.

"With the bat I feel like I understand my game a lot better now and have learnt how to build an innings a lot better.

"I am looking forward to the season at home, I think we have a squad of hugely talented players and I'm backing us to be challenging in all competitions."

He added: "I am really enjoying my cricket out here. With the bat I have learnt how to approach my innings differently and made consistent starts without making a really big score.

"I had a slight knee injury before Christmas which kept me from bowling but that is all sorted now and I'm hoping I can produce some good bowling spells and take a few wickets.

"We have a lot of ability but have just been a bit inconsistent. Despite this we are right in contention to make the finals as we are only six points from 4th.

"Hopefully I can produce some big performances with bat and ball to get the team into the finals."