A fascinating development in the embryonic career of Harlow all-rounder Abi Farooq this week. Having been offered a trial with the Dutch national team after sending the coaching staff video clips of his bowling Abi travelled to The Netherlands this week.

He did sufficiently well to impress Head Coach, Peter Borren, and has been invited back to train with the full national squad in the coming weeks.

Abi qualifies for the Dutch team as his 'home country'.

As Abi stated "I watched these players on TV just a few years ago and now Ive got a chance to train with them".

Having played for Madrid in the European Cricket League earlier this season Abi is certainly taking a very interesting and far from the ordinary route to reach a higher level of cricket.

Many congratulations Abi hope it goes really well (five wickets on Saturday would be a good warm up I think!)