State contract beckons for Indigenous prospect

Eleven of Australia’s best Indigenous players are set to line up against the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars at Allan Border Field in Brisbane today (Saturday).

But for Victorian Ben Abbatangelo, the stakes are much higher than simply a win or a loss.

With Cricket Australia’s talent scouts less than 200 metres away at their National Cricket Centre headquarters and with a perfect view of the pristine oval, Abbatangelo will play with an agenda.

The Victorian has been around the state talent system for more than three years now, beginning as the Melbourne Stars Community Rookie, alongside Hobart Hurricanes and current Indigenous teammate Ryan Lees, and is currently part of the 20-man Futures League winter squad.

The batting allrounder (although he claims his bowling is “junk”) has come off a strong showing in the Victorian Premier League with 628 runs at 39.3 in a breakout season.

His off-spin also yielded best-bowling figures of 4-35, proving there are strings to this 21-year-old’s bow.

If he can produce solid performances against the Southern Stars and National Performances Squad, he could be in line for that much sought-after a state contract, which would be a major success from the week-long match circuit.

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“It’s a phenomenal opportunity and a great set-up, everyone is very like-minded, being in an environment where everyone wants to be improved, being involved with people like 'Huss' (David Hussey) and Mick Lewis is great for my cricket,” Abbatangelo told cricket.com.au.

“First-class cricket is the immediate goal … I’ve been involved with the Futures League over the winter which gives me a chance to hopefully play some more games.”

The Indigenous team will be coached by Jeff Cook who will have assistance from former Australia allrounder James Hopes and former Victoria and Melbourne Stars coach Greg Shipperd, who has worked with Abbatangelo closely before.

“I think he is going to be a terrific young leader, not only through cricket but also in the community … my assessment would be that he has improved rapidly over the last 18 months,” Shipperd said.

“He is thirsty for knowledge and he has a fantastic work ethic.

“I’m looking to provide my coaching expertise to them as players and hope as we go forward there will be some exciting kids to have a look at … success for these guys is progressing each of them out of what we see in the game situation.”

Abbatangelo has been a staunch advocate for the promotion of cricket to the Indigenous communities as a regular participant in Cricket Australia’s Imparja Cup and through volunteer work with AIME, an educational Indigenous program.

But this week, runs will be the only thing on this young hopeful’s mind.

The Southern Stars will take on the 2015 National Indigenous Squad in a 50-over match at Allan Border Field in Brisbane from 9am AEST on Saturday July 4. Admission is free and the weather is expected to be fine.