THE weather may have taken a turn for the better this last week but the British climate has been a shock to the system of Malton and Old Malton's new overseas star Dave Nankervis.

When the Aussie right-hander arrived in mid-April he couldn't believe how warm the weather was. But within days, as always seems to be the case when the English cricket season starts, the temperature dropped considerably, signalling the start of a prolonged spell of unsettled weather.

Nankervis said: "When I arrived it was 24 degrees and I couldn't believe it. But it soon changed and I had to wear three shirts and three jumpers on the field to begin with and I could hardly move. It has been a bit hard to get used to."

On the plus side, the 22-year-old, from Melbourne, has had no problem settling into his new club and his new surroundings.

"It's been absolutely fantastic and I'm loving it. The guys have been really good. Malton is a really nice town and I particularly like the market scene. I've also really enjoyed playing out in the country at some of the picturesque village grounds."

After making 83 on his home debut against Studley Royal in the York League, Nankervis admits it has taken him a while to adapt to softer, greener English wickets. A particularly wet May has not helped this transition. But recent knocks of 40, against Selby, and 75, against Duncombe Park, suggest that Nankervis has what it takes to be a success.

Back home in Victoria, the Australian also keeps wicket for his club, Frankston Peninsula, who play at just one level below state cricket. His club skipper, Matthew Mott, plays for Victoria, while he has competed against Test players Ian Harvey and Matthew Elliott. It is likely he has also come up against Ben Nicholson, Malton and Old Malton's former overseas player, who was top run-scorer in the whole of the York league last season. In fact, Nankervis was put in touch with Malton by the same agent who set up Nicholson's spell in Ryedale.

Having just completed a sports administration and coaching degree, Nankervis said he would like to get involved in the organisation of the Commonwealth Games, to be staged in Melbourne in 2006. But for now he is focusing his efforts on helping Malton earn promotion to the first division.

Nankervis was involved in a collision with team-mate Gary Hall in Monday night's Pickering Cup match against Duncombe Park which left Hall needing hospital treatment for a bad neck injury and causing the game to be abandoned. Hall is back home recovering but could be set for a long absence, while Nakervis may miss tomorrow night's Ryedale Beckett League game due to a leg injury but shoud be fit for Saturday.

Updated: 14:16 Wednesday, June 04, 2003