Gabe Bell
GEORGE Town cricketer Gabe Bell is heading to the centre of excellence in Brisbane next month after being named in Cricket Australia's 2012-13 under-18 talent squad.
The 17-year-old right-arm fast bowler, who lives in Launceston but plays NTCA cricket with the Saints, was one of two Tasmanians chosen in the squad along with Kingborough batsman Sean Willis.
Bell has just returned from playing for the state in the national under-19 cricket championships in Adelaide where Tasmania finished third.
The Launceston Church Grammar year 12 student found out about his Cricket Australia selection as he was flying home.
The talent squad will take part in a camp at the centre of excellence from February 10-14, exposing 26 of the country's most promising players to the national system for the first time.
The players will undergo testing, specialist skills training, psychological profiling and education sessions under the management of specialist coaches.
They will spend time with the Australian men's team ahead of a Twenty20 match against the West Indies, and play two T20 matches.
The talent squad will form the basis of the Australian under-19 team to contest the ICC World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2014.
``I was over the moon when I found out I had been picked - really excited,'' Bell said.
``It should be a really good opportunity for me.
``I just want to continue to work on my cricket and see where it takes me.''