A SPORTS student who aims for a professional cricket career has netted funds to play in South Africa.

Alex McGrath was awarded £500 by the Durham County Cricket Club Trust Fund, managed by County Durham Community Foundation, to go to Cape Town in March with his university team.

The 20-year-old, from Spennymoor said: "It's been a massive help towards the cost. I don't think I would have gone otherwise.I'm hoping to get as far as I can with cricket.

"The experience of going somewhere like that and playing at the highest level possible is a massive opportunity, not just in terms of sport but in terms of life opportunity."

In 2016 he missed a season of cricket to have two hip operations and is now playing better than ever.

He said: "I came back in slowly and it's worked really well.

"It was definitely a learning curve. I had to be patient and do a lot of physiotherapy but gradually the fear of being injured again has faded."

He began playing cricket aged six, encouraged by parents Ian and Elaine, at Tudhoe Cricket Club juniors. He then won a place in Durham County Cricket Club U12s and remained there until he went to Durham University to study sport, exercise and physical activity and joined its team.

He said: "My mam and dad always encouraged me. My dad still plays cricket and they gave me lifts everywhere. They still wash my kit."

In his first year at university, Alex was selected to represent Durham MCCU under head coach Paul Grayson.

He made his first class debut against Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, finishing the first innings with bowling figures of four for 103.

He was then chosen to represent the MCC Combined Universities under coach Clive Radley, playing in the second eleven County Championship through until the end of the 2017 season.

Next month's tour will see him face top talent from university and professional teams.