The tour squad in Australia.

Fifteen players and their two coaches visited Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne during their tour, and the team played a number of schools, including Knox, Westminster, Prince Alfred College and St Kevin’s.

The boys aged between 14 and 18 years old, were challenged with skills and commitment by their Australian opposition and came away with three wins overall, having played some outstanding cricket in an unfamiliar climate.

Reece Hussain, nephew of England cricketer Nasser Hussain, and Connor Price were named best tourists both on and off the pitch following some exceptional performances and a half century from Hussain.

Whilst on their tour, the team was joined by last year’s Felsted cricket captain, Joshua Wells, who is now playing for Altona Cricket Club in Melbourne.

Josh Hunter-Jordan, Felsted’s cricket captain said: “The tour was a great success on and off the field, whilst results didn’t go our way in every game, we picked up some wins and it was a fantastic experience to test ourselves in foreign conditions. All the players developed their games and we gelled as a squad, giving us a great deal of confidence as we prepare for the 2013 season.”

Jason Gallian, director of cricket at Felsted, said: “The boys not only developed their cricket skills but had the experience of surfing, jet boating around Sydney Harbour, making new friends by billeting throughout the tour, having a hot Christmas and being at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the first day of the Boxing Day test.

“The boys were great ambassadors for the school and it was a pleasure to tour with them.”

Touring Australia is a difficult affair out of season, but has proven a valuable part of Felsted’s cricket development. It was noticed by the squad how high sport lies in both the political and school agendas in Australia compared to the UK, and following the successful summer of Olympic Sport, it is hoped that schools like Felsted will continue the Olympic legacy through school sport.

The squad has returned from this tremendous learning curve with a great foundation for the season ahead this summer and will be able to develop their skills further for what is hoped to be a very successful season.