For the past five months the 17-year-old opening batsman has played for England’s Richmond Cricket Club as part of the Adam Gilchrist cricket development scholarship.

Dougall said he enjoyed the opportunity to develop his game overseas.

“It was a hell of an experience,” he said.

“It was a good learning curve both for the cricket and for the life experience.”

Dougall said the highlight of the trip was a week spent in Gloucester where he played five games over five days.

“It was a good opportunity to get to know the guys from all the grades of my host team Richmond,” he said.

The young gun also hit some good form during the stint, scoring several centuries for his county. Returning from England on September 17, Dougall had just two weeks to spend with family before heading to Darwin to play in the Australian under 19s side against Sri Lanka, which starts on Friday.

Dougall said he hoped to make the final under 19s squad to represent Australia at the World Cup in New Zealand in January.

“It won’t be easy,” he said.

“I will need to perform well as I am a year younger than the other guys.

“The State championships are in November and the Australian final side should be announced sometime after that.”

Dougall said while he was not sure what next year had on offer for his cricket, one thing he was sure of was returning to school.

“I am just concentrating on my cricket this year and then I will consider my plans for next year while doing year 12,” he said.