From grade cricket hopeful to sending down a few at good pace to the Poms.
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It’s been a whirlwind nine months for former George Town seamer Gabe Bell.
Bell was almost plucked from obscurity last week to play a dream match against the touring English in Perth.
While the two-day clash in the West Australian capital lacked the Joe Roots, the Alastair Cooks, the Jimmy Andersons and the Stuart Broads, the recognition after only six first-class appearances for Tasmania speaks volume of his bright future.
Selectors have been left nodding over the 22-year-old’s blossoming start to what looks a promising career.
Bell had already picked up 25 wickets at only 22 apiece since debuting in the Tigers’ final Sheffield Shield game of last season in Hobart.
Leading out Tasmanian teammates Jake Doran, Nick Buchanan and Mac Wright into battle on Saturday, Bell delivered the first ball for the Cricket Australia XI in its two-day game on Saturday.
The right-arm paceman finished with a tidy 1-32 from just 12 overs.
But Bell did claim the prized scalp of acting captain Mooen Ali for 24 off 36 balls.
The out-of-form Test allrounder had entered the tour match intent on resting his sore spinning finger to focus solely on reviving his batting.
England recovered from a very scratchy 7-172 before declaring at 9-314.
Wright collected 2-19 from 5.2 overs and Buchanan 2-79 from 12. Cricket Australia XI had reached 1-62 at stumps, with Doran 11 not out.
Bell’s rise first occurred when called up to play for Tasmania in March this year against South Australia.
The South Hobart-Sandy Bay premiership hero took 3-63 and 4-97 on debut to stun the Redbacks.
Less than one week later, Bell collected 6-80 in the Cricket Tasmania Premier League grand final to finally hand the Sharks a Hobart first-grade premiership after waiting nearly 30 years.
He has since been upgraded from a state rookie to full Cricket Tasmania contract.
The one-time Launceston Church Grammar student, who moved down to Hobart after graduating, has earned high praise from Tigers state coach Adam Griffith.
“I was really impressed with what I saw of Gabe on the field and then from day one being down here, I’ve been really impressed with his work ethic and what he brings off the field to his training,” Griffith said prior to the first ball of the season.
“For me, it was a no-brainer to upgrade him to a full contract and reward him not only for that one game, but all the work he has done over the years.”