Similar, but not quite the same

I wonder what they will say to me this time? This was the burning question in my mind as I strode out to the wicket in a Sydney third-grade match at Coogee Oval. At the time, I was a No. 4 batsman playing for Randwick against Sutherland. Don't say anything back, I used to repeat to myself over and over as I prepared for yet another delivery. Mental disintegration, as Steve Waugh had put it. To me, it was just part and parcel of competitive cricket in Australia.

Like many other young and ambitious Australian cricketers, I decided to travel to England and take my chances in the Surrey Championship. A village team near Guildford was my club of choice, as it looked like a pleasant place to put the old whites on again.

I have now been at that particular club for the past two seasons, and have loved every minute of it. The variety of cricketers that you come across is something that I found different to my homeland. For example, I have had the opportunity to play with and against some first-class players, which is something I will never get to do in Sydney unless I make it to the first grade. Being on the same field as that kind of player has a positive effect on all the others, and can make for some exciting games.

From an Aussie perspective, the Surrey Championship is extremely well run, and all the clubs that I have played against have excellent grounds that are a pleasure to play on. There's the archetypal "club man", who is the backbone of most successful clubs - ever-present on a Saturday, supporting the team until the last ball is bowled. For most clubs he (or sometimes she) is the chairman, club secretary, president and groundsman all rolled into one. I think this is fantastic, and most clubs could not function without such people. It's this kind of person that I thank for giving me what I'd call the "Full English Cricket Experience".

In England you are usually guaranteed a pleasant little country ground, perfectly manicured and peaceful. In comparison, the average third-grade game in Australia is played alongside a major highway on hard fields with little grass, and it is not until you reach the higher grades that you will be rewarded with a decent ground to play on. "Howzat" must be screamed out a hundred times a day by hoons called Bruce as they fly by in their rusting Holdens.

Although I think the second division of the Surrey Championship isn't too dissimilar to Sydney's third grade in terms of standard, there are however, major differences in how the Aussies and the English play the game. There is a massive competitive streak in every Australian cricketer - I'm sure every English club that has ever had one could vouch for that - and this filters down into every Aussie club that plays competitive cricket.

From my experiences in England, the general aim is to play fair, and if a player engages in a verbal battle with another, it's considered as being against the spirit of the game. Australians, on the other hand, tend to view sledging as a rather unfortunate part of cricket, but one we need to accept and rise above. Our theory is, if it is within the rules and might help you win, then why not use it?

As a result I have been called all sorts of names on the grade scene, right from my first game, which happened to be against the famous old St George club. It is something that is always going to happen in first grade, so for a young 18-year-old it was something I had to get used to if I was ever going to make my mark in grade cricket. It is often said that what separates good players from great players is strength of mind. Therefore, the majority of Australians would view sledging as a part of the game, and something that will strengthen young cricketers mentally.

I have only played one game in England where the backchat was on a par with a grade game, and it took me by surprise. At no other stage throughout the season was I sledged - which actually I found disappointing. I think that sledging, if used in moderation, can bring the best out in everyone as it enhances concentration. There is nothing more satisfying than playing a great hand against a worthy opposition that has made you fight for every run.

In my opinion, competitive cricket is not about clapping for a fifty or apologising to the batsman because you're doing up a bootlace. It's about the will to win - and that will bring the best out in everyone.