YORK'S Tom Bartram has joined the toughest finishing school in world cricket.

The teenager, who finished his schooling at St Peter's School last summer, divided his time playing for the York Cricket Club second eleven and his school team last season.

His ambition is to establish himself in the York first team next year in the Yorkshire League before starting an Accountancy and Economics degree at Durham University next winter.

Bartram, who wants to toughen up his batting, has headed Down Under to Australia for his first season of club cricket in Queensland.

He believes spending the next five months as a self funded overseas player for the Redlands Tigers team in Brisbane grade cricket will help to iron out any rough edges.

"I have played club cricket since I was 14 and average 30-35 with the bat for York," Bartram said.

"I averaged 25 for the seconds this year so I thought it was time for me to challenge myself in Australia.

"This season I have had four innings for Redlands and scored, 47, 40, 28, and 25 not out."

Bartram is playing two-day 90 overs-a-side matches on successive Saturdays until the end of February before returning for pre-season nets with York in the Spring.

York seconds were relegated from the Hunters the estate agents York and District Senior Cricket League premier division last summer, but Bartram is looking forward to a more successful campaign, next time around.

He said: "The cricket I am playing in Australia is much tougher than it is in England.

"Sometimes I bat at number seven or eight for York, which means that all I can do is throw the bat.

"In Australia, in two-day matches, teams have to bat a full 90 overs. I have a key role, which is to score as many runs as possible, and not throw my wicket away."

Updated: 10:40 Saturday, November 06, 2004