SHANE GETKATE is the latest Irish player to prove a big hit Down Under.

The 22 year-old, who featured in three Under 19 World Cups for Ireland between 2008-12, has been in scintillating form with the ball for his club Waratah-Mayfield in the Newcastle District Cricket Association competition.

In recent weeks he took a five-wicket haul against Tornoto Workers in the First-Grade competition, and followed it up with three wickets on Saturday against Belmont, to take his post Christmas tallly to 11.

"It's been a great experience in Australia," said the North County all-rounder. "It certainly tests your fitness in the heat here - which can get as high as 40 Centigrade on some days. It gives you a different perspective on cricket, as they play more aggressively than back in Ireland or England.

"I'm pleased with how the ball is coming out at the minute. My five wickets came against a Toronto side which included England Under 19 international Sam Wood, and Jake Ball, both of whom play for Nottinghamshire. They also had Tom Bailey of Lancashire playing for them too, which shows just how high the standard is out here."

Getkate, who played in 2013 for MCC Young Cricketers, is back at Lord's in 2014, and is keen to push his case for inter-provincial cricket as well. "Ill be back playing at MCCYC, and we have a pre-season with them in Abu Dhabi. I'm also planning to play as much for Sunbury in the Surrey League and North County in Leinster.

"I'm working hard and hopefully with strong performances I'll get recognition. I'm hoping to get into the Leinster Lightning squad this season and push my case. There's a great motivation to get back into the Ireland set-up, while I still have genuine ambitions to make it in the county scene in the UK."