CRICKET: It's A long way from Johannesburg to Suffolk, but Sean Carlisle is settling into his new job as master-in-charge of cricket at Woodbridge School. The 32-year-old has replaced Chris Seal, the Suffolk Minor Counties all-rounder, who left in December to take up a post at Trent College.

IT'S A long way from Johannesburg to Suffolk, but Sean Carlisle is settling into his new job as master-in-charge of cricket at Woodbridge School.

The 32-year-old has replaced Chris Seal, the Suffolk Minor Counties all-rounder, who left in December to take up a post at Trent College.

Sean spent seven years in his previous job as master-in-charge of sport and teaching history at a school in a rural area of Johannesburg.

He said: "I heard about this job through work colleagues and it was also advertised in the South Africa Sunday Times."

Sean, who spent a season in 1993 playing as a professional in the Manchester League and has been on tours to England in the past, has arrived on a four-year visa with his wife and two-year-old daughter.

The presence of Colin Rutterford, the former Suffolk captain who is also now working at the school, has helped Sean to settle in.

"Obviously having someone with Colin's experience has been a big asset. It has not been as daunting as it could have been."

A top-three batsman and off-spin bowler, Sean has played for the South African County District side – a standard on a par with the Minor Counties representative side.

"If I've got a claim to fame it would be that I used to open the batting with Jimmy Cook, the former South African Test player who is now coach of Hampshire," he said.

Sean has coached for the South African Cricket Unit, helping develop talented black youngsters to bridge the gap between school and provincial cricket.

He is hoping to put his coaching ability to good effect at the school, where he will also teach history.

"Chris Seal has laid a good foundation here, but we hope to get the kids to believe in themselves more and to play attacking, positive cricket."

Rutterford, who joined the school last September as grounds manager, will help with coaching the school's six sides.

After spending 23 years at Framlingham College, where he forged his reputation as a groundsman, Rutterford left to become estate manager for former footballer turned racehorse owner Mike Channon at West Ilsley in Berkshire.

Rutterford returned to Suffolk in the autumn to replace Adam King, who left Woodbridge School to take up a similar post at Radley College in Oxfordshire.