The Melbourne Stars have confirmed talented Indigenous cricketer, Ben Abbatangelo as their Community Rookie and promising 18-year-old Victorian Guy Walker will be their Development Rookie.
Melbourne Stars (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The pair now have the opportunity to join the Stars squad and train with the team.
Melbourne Stars Head Coach, Greg Shipperd expressed his excitement at the prospect of giving two rising Stars the opportunity to be involved in the inner sanctum of the Stars.
“It’s a great initiative and opportunity for two rising stars of the game,” Shipperd said. “I’ve been impressed with Abbatangelo – he’s certainly a welcome addition to our squad as our community rookie.
“He’s a beautiful striker of the ball, a busy player and an astute fielder. We’ve identified a lot of potential in him and look forward to developing him further, on and off the field.”
20-year-old Abbatangelo was selected after a three-month search with members of the State’s Indigenous squad who have been vying for selection through training sessions, trial matches and club cricket performances.
With support from the Stars Partners in Mitsubishi Motors, Chemist Warehouse and health.com.au, the Stars have bolstered the Cricket Australia Community Rookie Contract to create a 12-month Indigenous Scholarship Program.
Originally from Yorta Yorta country in Shepparton, Abbatangelo has twice been named in the Australian Indigenous Development Squad and has been earmarked as a promising on-field leader. After representing Victoria in the Under 19’s, the right-hand batsman is also the current Captain of the Victorian Imparja Cup Team.
The Stars’ scholarship will allow Abbatangelo the chance to continue his development post-season with funding contributed towards education, training, equipment, mentoring and further cricketing development.
The Development Rookie Contracts were available to players under the age of 21 who are eligible to represent Australia under ICC eligibility rules or are an approved Australian resident.
“I’m delighted to formally announce that Guy Walker will also join the Stars as the team’s Development Rookie,” Shipperd said. “The U19 Australian representative is an exciting prospect and one we’re very happy to have within our wings.
“He bowls a lively ball and is competent lower order hitter – he’s absolutely a star of the future which makes him perfect for this particular contract.”
At just 18-years-old, Guy Walker is one of the most exciting young cricketers Victoria has to offer and will join the Stars as the youngest member of their squad.
The right-arm fast medium bowler from Footscray-Edgewater will work closely with the team honing skills which have notably already vastly improved since joining the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers Squad earlier this year.
Both Abbatangelo and Walker will immediately join the Stars squad for BBL|03.
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- Melbourne Stars assemble all star coaching panel for BBL|03 (cricketbadger.com)
James Buttler
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