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Muchall Looks Forward To Winter In New Zealand

11 October 2012

Paul Muchall is looking forward to visiting New Zealand for the first time this winter, playing and coaching in Auckland.

The Gloucestershire all-rounder flies out this weekend to join Birkenhead City Cricket Club, returning next March to prepare for the new English season.

Paul told this website: "It will be my first experience of playing in New Zealand. I have spent the last few winters coaching in Hongkong so it will be different conditions for me.

"I am lookiing forward to playing in a good standard of cricket and also adopting a development officer role in four local schools.

"Coaching is something I am very interested in for the future. But I also hope to improve my skills as a player in one-day cricket and the longer competition over there so that I come back ready to hit the ground running with Gloucestershire."

Paul's first season at Bristol was marred by a back injury, sustained when bowling in the first innings of a Championship game against Hampshire at the County Ground in early August.

"I suffered a muscle spasm in my back, which affected a nerve and kept me out for the rest of the season," he said.

"It was a shame because I really enjoyed my first season at the club. It's not easy adjusting to a new environment, but I now feel settled and know more what is required of me.

"Next summer I hope to secure a first team place in all forms of cricket. We have an improving squad and there is a lot to look forward to.

"I felt we were unlucky to finish bottom of the Championship this summer because we failed narrowly to win a couple of games after declarations. The match against Leicestershire at Cheltenham felt like a defeat at the end, even though we drew because we got so close to our target.

"There was definite improvement in our T20 and CB40 cricket, which we need to build on. If we do I can see us having a successful season."

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