While some foreign players battle homesickness, North Ballarat's newest recruit is feeling right at home.
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Indian international Vikrant Dabra has joined the club for the 2020-21 Ballarat Cricket Association season. The all-rounder arrived in Ballarat six months ago from Melbourne.
But unlike other foreign players who have been unable to reach their families during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dabra has his on his doorstep. Literally.
His parents happened to be visiting Australia at the beginning of the outbreak and have been stuck here since.
They are currently staying with Dabra and his wife in Ballarat.
"They came just before the lockdown. My brother was about to have a baby and they came to meet their grandson and got locked in," Dabra said.
Dabra got in touch with North through connections at his old cricket club. He admitted his first winter in the city took at toll on him, but he was hoping to extend his stay.
"I'm still working on extending my visa, so as long as I can do that I'm happy to be here," he said.
In the meantime, he is hoping to make an impact for the Roosters as an off-spin bowler and middle order bat. He has impressed so far, with North coach Darren Wilson telling The Courier he was a potential lock to play in round one this weekend.
"They are a really good bunch of blokes," Dabra said.
"We have been lucky to have a few training sessions so far which is good.
