Cricket: Chinese star Jiang Shuyao relishing his time in Lincolnshire

CHINESE international batsman Jiang Shuyao is settling into his new life in Cleeethorpes.

The 25-year-old joined Cleethorpes Cricket Club earlier this month and hopes to learn a lot from his stay at Chichester Road.

Shuyao, who represented China at the 2010 Asian Games, will play second string cricket for the Meggies due to the restrictions on overseas players.

South African Graham Hume, 21, has been registered as the club's Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB Premier League professional, leaving Shuyao to develop his game in the Lincolnshire County League.

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Shuyao has scored 166 runs in his first four innings for Cleethorpes, and the man from Shanghai is hoping for more of the same during his first English season.

He said: "I am enjoying batting here. In China we don't have grass pitches. I have learned lots of things already and will hope to learn more before going back home.

"I want to score as much as I can. Then when I go back to China I can teach the players what I have learned here. I will take back as many experiences and pictures as possible.

"It is not easy for me to say who is a good team. I have to keep watching and playing every ball well. You have to face every ball like they are a good player. I will try and take as much as possible and play well every week."

Aside from his on-field obligations, Shuyao has been assisting with junior coaching at the club and has helped the Chichester Road staff prepare the ground ahead of home matches.

And seeing the Cleethorpes wicket at close quarters is something Shuyao will help his chances of scoring big runs.

He said: "Cleethorpes have been keeping me very busy. I have been cutting the grass and helping with the ground and that might help me know the ground better.

"I have been training three times every week and with the first team. That will help me because English grounds sometimes bounce but sometimes keep low."

Beyond his sporting experience, the Chinese international will be using his visit to learn more about English culture – a requirement of his forthcoming Masters degree.

And cricket section chairman, Paul Hewstone, believes it was that opportunity that enticed Shuyao to the North Lincolnshire seaside.

Hewstone said: "He only had his first net recently and it was blatantly obvious that he was not a fourth team cricketer. He would probably be in our first team if he was English.

"His English has improved massively in the short time he has been here. He uses an application on his phone that translates Chinese words into English. If he doesn't understand things he can use that.

"This trip is also part of Jiang's education. He has a sports degree and will returning home for more next year. It is a huge experience for him – playing here, learning about life and being away from home."