LIFE IN THE FAST LANE
TASMANIAN fast bowler Gabe Bell is a man in n a hurry. He’s just become the fourth-youngest to reach the 50-wicket mark for his state and the third-quickest in games played. And he’s keen for many more when the Shield resumes on Saturday.
RISING Tasmanian star Gabe Bell honed his craft absorbing everything from two of the state’s finest bowlers and is now on track to exceed their feats.
When he first joined the Tigers squad as an 18-year-old, Bell shadowed Ben Hilfenhaus and Luke Butterworth, who took 483 Sheffield Shield wickets between them, learning as much as he could.
Now 23, Bell has 52 scalps at an average of 21.9 from just 13 matches — making him the fourth youngest to reach the 50-wicket mark behind James Faulkner, Xavier Doherty and Shane Watson — and third quickest in games played behind his current new-ball partner Jackson Bird and Chris Matthews.
After spending the Big Bash period recovering from some slight niggles, Bell is itching to get back on the park when Tasmania clashes with South Australia at the Adelaide Oval from Saturday as the Tigers look to storm back into finals contention.
“You always believe in yourself, but the success I have had is pretty special,” Bell told the Mercury on the impressive start to his first-class career.
“I had Buttsy and Hilf around as well, who were massive for Tassie cricket as a whole.
“Learning off them when I was younger was a massive stepping stone for me and I think having Griff [coach Adam Griffith] as a past bowler and head coach helps a lot.
“[Butterworth and Hilfenhaus] were big on making you comfortable in the squad, I was down here as an 18-year-old and they helped me out and said we are all on the same page going for the same success.
“I was young, I was a bit of a sponge for everything, I was listening and taking in everything I could.”
Had a foot injury sustained in the first match back from the BBL last season not ended his 2017-18 campaign prematurely, Bell would be even further advanced on his path towards the spearhead of the attack. Ensuring his body can handle the rigours of a full season remains the No.1 priority, while featuring in the lucrative T20 format is a longer-term goal.
“It is good to have a few games on the trot, if I can get my body right, that’s my biggest focus going forward.
“I know when I’m on the park it is going pretty well.
“This year I had a bit of soreness leading into that [BBL] period so decided to take a few weeks off before and after Christmas to get right for this time of year.
“Going forward if the body is holding up I would love to look into it.”