Sidmouth won’t be seeing Aussie run machine Jake Fawcett in action against Paignton on Saturday as he isn’t in the country yet, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

Fawcett won’t be arriving from Australia this week and Sidmouth have been told he is unlikely to arrive before May 29.

Fawcett, who bats left handed and bowls off-breaks, has played for Western Australia Under-23s and the First Class side on a couple of occasions.

He is no stranger to UK conditions having played in North Wales, Birmingham and Northampton on previous visits to this country, dating back to 2007.

Fawcett holds an EU/UK passport which means he is not classed as an overseas player.

Warwickshire and Northants have looked at Fawcett in 2nd XI games, which is hardly surprising given his track record.

Fawcett has been one of the most prolific batsman in the Western Australia Grade since his debut in 2006/07.

At the end of the 2013/14 season, he had scored 3,838 First-Frade runs, with 12 centuries at an average of 35.54.His off-spinners have accounted for 63 victims

Fawcett represented Western Australia through the age-groups and, courtesy of his Grade exploits, earned State selection in two List-A matches in 2009.

The following year was subsequently awarded a coveted rookie contract with the WACA.

Unfortunately, Fawcett was released in a mass clear-out when former South African coach Mickey Arthur took charge of the State side towards the end of the 2010/11 season.

He continued to dominate club cricket following a move to the Northern Territory over the 2011 winter. He starred for Darwin Cricket Club, racking up a double hundred (206), two further centuries (106 and 154) and 26 wickets at 14.81.

His last UK club was Northampton Saints, for whom he scored more than 500 runs at an average of nearly 50 during the soggy summer of 2012.

“I understand he is still hoping to get a deal with a county, which is one of the reasons he has come over again,” said Sidmouth secretary and former captain Anthony Griffiths.

“His stats are certainly impressive and it will be interesting to see how he does in the Devon League.”

Skipper Will Murray misses Saturday’s game as he is at a wedding. Peter Randerson, now over the stomach complaint that ruled him out against Exmouth, will lead the side.

Griffiths said if Dan Powell’s transfer goes through in time he will almost certainly play in the 2nd XI at home to Paignton.

“Dan has come home because he wants to bat in the 2nd XI for a bit and get some runs, which hasn’t happened for him at Heathcoat in their 1st XI,” said Griffiths.