The Bulldog batsmen is heading to England to live with Tallangatta import James Weighell and his family, joining the Bushies’ star batsman at English club Stokesleigh.

Craig said the pair got to talking about the English summer while playing together for the Tradelink Hurricanes in the Big Bash in January, and things progressed quickly from there.

“It’s a massive opportunity for me, a lot of people have told me how good it will be for my cricket, so I’m hoping I can come back a better person and a better player,” Craig said.

“James and his family have been absolutely amazing, I can’t thank them enough.

“They’re putting me up without any rent, so I can just focus on playing cricket and earning some money.”

Craig had returned from Melbourne last year to save money for a car, money which would now go towards his trip.

“I’ve just finished seven months of work at Mars, so I think going to England will be a pretty good change of pace,” he said.

“The club have been fantastic, they’ve offered me a job coaching their junior team as well as teeing up a job at a local pub.

“I’ve been treated very well.”

Craig spent three years at the SEDA Institute in Melbourne studying a diploma of sports development, and hoped the trip would help him in his goal to reach a level 3 coaching accreditation.

“Coaching is something I really enjoy, and you have to have a good body of work behind you to be invited to do the level 3 course,” he said.

“I’m really excited to get over there and see what it’s all about.

“Everything has happened really quickly, but I’m just thankful for the opportunity and looking forward to giving it a real go once I’m over there.”