Right now Sam Alexander is meant to be in England playing cricket at Newdigate in the Surrey County League in England.
It was to be his second stint in the UK as a cricketer, having previously played over there as an 18-year-old.
It had taken a while, but through the Cricketer Exchange, Alexander had found the perfect club for him for this season.
But soon in late March, uncertainty hit whether he would be able to travel across to England due to COVID-19.
With countries’ borders being closed and countries shut down, that dream trip was soon cancelled.
“I’m really gutted,” Alexander said. “I was ready to go and had everything in order.
“My lease was finishing up at my place and I was ready to go and then it all hit.
“I was so excited to go over there. You finally organise a club and things like that and it’s whisked away, it’s pretty heartbreaking.”
Alexander, who plays for UTS North Sydney second XI in NSW Premier Cricket, said one of the hardest things was the uncertainty about what was not only going on, but also the financial side of things.
While he was able to get his name back on the lease of the place he had been living, he lost his job as a freelance video producer at Fox Sports.
Newdigate made sure he wasn’t out of pocket for the flights that were cancelled, but he still isn’t sure what is happening with his Visa.
“I paid $1700 to get the working Visa and we haven’t heard anything about it… They’ve still got my passport, so it’s an absolute nightmare.
“I’ve been trying to contact immigration and keep getting pushed onto someone else.
“I went from having a trip of a lift time over there, to not making the trip and not having a job. It’s been pretty horrible.”
Having made the trip over to England in 2012, Alexander said the time was right for him to have another season over there.
Alexander said he had learnt a lot of lessons since that time and was ready to give it another crack.
“Last time I was so young and naive,” he said.
“This time on and off the field, especially on the field, I’ve matured a lot as a cricketer and played at a higher standard.
“I’m 26 now, having had a bit more life experience and going to be the ideal situation. I had found such a great club, absolute great blokes and it sounded like the perfect place to be in.”
For Newdigate the 2020 season was one that was shaping up as one with a lot of promise.
After finishing one game short of promotion in the premier division last season, the club was looking to build on that.
Chairman James Penfold said it was going to be a big year for them with eyes on making the Surrey Championship.
“We were one win away from going into the championship which is where we want to be,” he said.
“From where we have come from to where we want to go, it’s a really big step.
“We would have had a proper deck from Sam to turn his arm one. Now we just have to plan for next year and try and make sure that we don’t fold.
Newdigate’s season is all but over in its usual format with the English Cricket Board announcing that there would be no domestic and recreational cricket until at least August.
Penfold said it was disappointing as many of the restrictions were in place for those playing at higher levels, not domestic cricket.
He said they were looking at trying to organise some cricket down the track.
“It has pretty much put an end to a thought of a legitimate league season with promotion and relegation involved.
“At the moment we’re speaking to a couple of other local sides, to put in a three team mini league.”
Penfold said they had kept their pitch in a good condition and were in a better position than some clubs who might struggle to survive due to the season not going ahead.
For Newdigate, Alexander is the latest in a run of imports that they have had the last few years as they’ve made the focus to become a proper league side.
Penfold said each import always brought something to the club.
“Sam would have been our fifth [Australian] and we’ve had one South African as well.
“It’s really important to have fresh blood coming in. I’ve played in a number of teams in the past and if you’ve played with the same group for a long period of time, it can become stagnant in the changing room.
“All the guys we’ve had over previous years have all been good socially, really important part. We’ve never stuck with one mould of cricketer, normally get some experience from every cricketer we’ve had.”
Penfold who has stayed in contact with Alexander over the last couple of months said the bowler was the perfect fit for their team.
“I really like Sam and he definitely ticks all the boxes,” he said.
“He is very much in the mould of the person we’re looking for. One thing has changed year upon year, initially we were focused a lot on the ability and what level they played.
“The last couple of years we’ve been a lot more concerned about their soft skills and how they fit into the club.”
Penfold said they had already told Alexander that if he wants to play in England next season, that they would love him at their club.
Alexander, who has started pre-season training for the Australian summer, said if things go to plan would love to take up that offer.
“To their credit, the offer is still on the table for next year,” Alexander said.
“I would still love to go over anyway and hopefully see all those guys in 12 months or so. It’s hard to find a club at the best of times, so fortunate to have found those guys.
“I had a gut feel about it. I’m stoked they’re happy to have me next year.”
