Contract or not, a full-time effort
WHETHER a rookie or a fully contracted player, the Tigers can expect the same level of commitment and high work ethic from young quick Gabe Bell.
A fast-medium bowler, Bell turned more than the occasional head with his Sheffield Shield debut in the final match of a tough season for Tasmania, and his work on and off the field has resulted in a full contract for season 2017-18.
But what status he has carries little weight for the 22year-old originally from George Town.
“I don’t think anything changes,” Bell said.
“They could have contracted me as a rookie and I don’t think I would have trained or performed any differently now that I’m a full contracted player.
“Everyone in the squad has a goal to play and I don’t think that changes if you are full or a rookie.”
Bell’s Shield debut of 3-63 and 4-97 against the Redbacks caught the attention of thenWestern Australia assistant coach and now new Tigers coach Adam Griffith.
“I was really impressed with what I saw with Gabe on the field and from being down here from day one I’ve been really impressed with his work ethic, what he brings off the field to his training,” Griffith said.
“To me it was a no-brainer to upgrade him to a full contract and reward him for not only that one game but all the work he’s done over the years.”
Bell came straight out of Year 12 and club cricket with George Town to move south to play with South Hobart-Sandy Bay and with the Tigers as a rookie.
“For me it wasn’t hard, it was pretty exciting,” Bell said.
“It is stepping into the real world.
“It is a bit different from playing club cricket and school cricket up in Launceston to being in a professional environment where this is your job and you’ve got to take it pretty seriously.
“It didn’t take me long to work that out.”