Melbourne Stars Community Rookie trials

During the trials, members from the 2014 Victorian Imparja Cup team – the state’s Indigenous side – showcased their skills in front of the Melbourne Stars’ Chairman of Selectors Damien Fleming.

“I’ve been really impressed with the talent here; there are some real dynamic players,” Fleming said.

“Being at the trials means that you’ve been identified as an elite talent and now have an opportunity to expand your cricket education.

“To train with Cameron White, Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright and to be around the squad will help develop your cricket skills but it will also let you see how an elite team goes about it.”

“I think the Big Bash is appealing to dynamic players and it is exciting to see that we have identified talented players through the Community Rookie position.

“Hopefully, they will find themselves on the Melbourne Stars list in years to come.”

Among those at the trials session was BBL|03 Stars Community Rookie Ben Abbatangelo, who was announced as the contract recipient at last season’s Family Day.

Spending a season with the Stars, Abbatangelo acknowledged that the unique opportunity gave him the chance to continue his cricket development, learning from a host of world-class players and coaches at the Stars.

“The opportunity to spend the Big Bash season with the Melbourne Stars was an outstanding platform for me to develop as a cricketer and as a person in a world-class environment,” Abbatangelo.

Having bolstered Cricket Australia’s community contract to create a 12-month Indigenous scholarship, the Stars also assisted Abbatangelo with his post-season development and will do so again for the BBL|04 Community Rookie.

“The Stars have been phenomenal and have heavily invested in my cricket and I am sure whoever steps into the next Stars Indigenous scholarship will benefit from this,” Abbatangelo said.

“The boys were pretty fierce at the trials and it was great to be a part of it as the squad is really developing and so are all of the individuals involved.”

The recipient of the BBL|04 Melbourne Stars Community Rookie contract will be announced at the Stars’ Family Day on December 14 at Casey Fields.