After a whirlwind year Liam Dawson is again jetting out to Australia for the winter as he already starts to set his targets for next season.

The 17-year-old, from Hazel Grove in Calne, left for Perth on Wednesday where he will play for Melville after a successful spell last year.

The trip marks the end of a summer where Dawson broke into Hampshire's first team after signing a two-year contract in May.

"It's been a tough year and I am still learning so I am going out to get fitter and improve my technique," he said.

"It's been quite a successful one though and I certainly didn't expect to get a look in.

"Maybe it was Shane Warne getting injured which gave me a chance and I felt I took that opportunity.

"Next year I'm looking at a run in the first team either in the County Championship or the Pro40."

Following his return, on Christmas Day, Dawson will have three weeks off before heading to Sri Lanka for a training camp with the England U19 side in January.

He will then compete in the U19 World Cup in Malaysia in February, leaving little time for rest, but he knows it is a fantastic opportunity.

"It's been quite a busy year, I've been playing cricket solidly for 12 months and I'm going to do the same this time," he said.

"I'll be trying to win a world cup which sounds so strange. It is a massive tournament in terms of your development.

"Alistair Cook was playing in it three or four years ago and now he is opening the batting for England, so I know it is a great opportunity."

But, despite the relentless cricket, the former Chippenham all rounder doesn't feel he will burn out before the tournament.

"I'm going to Australia to enjoy it and it is another great opportunity for me," he said.

"I'll probably start in the second team again but hopefully work my way up to first grade cricket.

"I learnt this year to relax and enjoy the game more, which is something I didn't do when I first started at Hampshire."

Proper relaxation is something the former John Bentley School pupil will not have time for until his return, which he hopes goes smoothly.

"It is going to be weird coming home on Christmas Day, hopefully the flight won't get delayed and I don't have to spend it in an airport," he said.

"That wouldn't go down too well at home."