How the unknown helped this English import rocket into representative squad

Optimism is growing around England's chances of a first series win Down Under since 2010/11 after Australian captain Pat Cummins and fellow star quick Josh Hazlewood were ruled out of this week's first Test in Perth.

"It's all riding on this first Test," Fisher said.

"If England don't win this one, then I think we're struggling, but it's going to be good.

"Either way, win or lose, I'm going to be getting some stick. In the last week or so it's been getting a bit more, and I'm sure it's only going to get feistier when we get into it on Friday.

"But you can't go too early because it could always come back around."

If the English national side settles into Australian conditions as quickly as Fisher has, they may just have what it takes to topple Cummins' men.

The 22-year-old has continued the relationship between the Doncaster Town and Orange CYMS clubs by spending the Australian summer in green and gold.

A hard-hitting opening bat, Fisher has already scored more than 400 runs across all competitions this season. Those performances have landed him a spot in the Western squad which will contest the upcoming Country Championships at Newcastle and Tuggerah.

He follows in the footsteps of Doncaster teammate Curtis Free, who spent the 2014/15 campaign in Orange and helped Western win the Country Championships.

Fisher has shone brightest for the Orange representative team so far, with scores of 54, 32 and a stunning 154 not out from just 104 balls against Parkes.

He also made 54 from 57 balls during a Tremain-Copeland Cup Twenty20 win for Central West over Western Plains.

"To be selected, I was very happy," Fisher said.

"My performances on Sundays have been pretty good so far, which I'm obviously pleased with, and to be selected is good and it recognises that I've done quite well so far.

"Obviously, I'm out here to play cricket first and foremost, and then to see a different part of the world, but playing as much cricket as I can has been good."

Being a new face in Western area competitions has worked in Fisher's favour.

During representative cricket on Sundays, there are some teammates Fisher knows nothing about, let alone the opposition, and it's allowed him to focus on what matters.

That will be the case again at the Country Championships as Fisher is the only Orange-based player in the Western squad.

"I don't know any of the players around here, so I'm just playing my game," he said.

"Playing in England, in the same league that I've played in for four or five years now, I kind of know the bulk of the people, so you thinking a lot about your game.

"Here, I can just focus on myself and just bat and you don't know what's coming down, but you can just play."

Pitches a little flatter and more batter-friendly compared to what he plays on at home has also helped.

The surfaces have been the biggest difference Fisher has had to deal with so far, but the new conditions are all part of the experience.

Sri Lanka and Barbados are other countries Fisher has played in previously, but his time in Australia marks his first long-term times overseas.

"It's great just embracing different cultures," he said.

"It's the same game, but everyone plays it differently.

"Even in the competition here. It's the same game, but it's different and the wickets are different, the outfields are different, but it's just so good learning.

"You've got to adapt your game for different scenarios. It's been really good, especially for development, and then I can go back to England and try to get better in our league there and develop a more all-round game."

Fisher hoped to attend at least a couple of days of Ashes cricket this season, while travel and the chance to see more of Australia is planned for the Christmas and New Year period.