A former junior national sailor and Tassie underage championship star offered state cricket contracts

The Tigers have invested into their future with a pair of local up and coming talents added to the contract lists for the next two seasons

Local cricket players Chloe Abel, 17 of Sandy Bay and Mitchell Owen, 18 of Mornington have secured contracts with the Tasmanian Tigers for next season. Picture: Zak Simmonds

A FORMER junior Australian sailor has justified her decision to swap the boat for bat and ball after landing a state contract with the Tigers.

Teenager Chloe Abel, who represented her country alongside Fahan schoolmates in 2017 at the Team Sailing Interdominion against New Zealand and again in 2018 at the Pacific Rim Inter-Schools Team Sailing Championship, will be the youngest player in the squad next summer.

At just 17 Abel is viewed as a long term prospect but her rapid rise through the ranks is a clear indication of the talent she possesses.

A University Cricket Club product, Abel has only been playing the sport for three years but has quickly developed into an exciting prospect.

“It was a bit earlier than I expected but I am really excited to get stuck in to training and try and improve on my game in all areas,” the budding all-rounder said.

Local cricket player Chloe Abel, 17 of Sandy Bay has secured a contract with the Tasmanian Tigers for next season. Picture: Zak Simmonds

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“I started about three years ago, I am quite new into the game, I made my first under-15 state team and then I fell in love with the game and continued on with the under-18 state team.

“Fortunately enough last year I was able to captain that team, which was a really good experience.

“I am not expecting too much for the first year or so, I’m really happy to just sit back and watch and try and learn as much as I can.”

An exciting young talent has also landed a rookie contract with the men, with 18-year-old Mitch Owen securing his first state deal.

Local cricket player Mitchell Owen, 18 of Mornington has secured a contract wit the Tasmanian Tigers next season. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Owen became the first Tasmanian in more than a decade to score two of more centuries at the under-19 national championships last year, while he finished as the fifth highest CTPL run scorer (734 at 43.2) in his first season with New Town.

“It is very exciting and something I am very grateful for, I’m really looking forward to getting in, training with the boys and seeing what opportunities can come in the future,” Owen said.

“Training with the best players around really will make me further my game and hopefully develop long term.”

Tigers female coach Salliann Briggs also confirmed another talented rising star Erin Fazackerley opted against signing a contract for next season.

“It is a shock because she is an impactful player but we have to do what is best for her and she decided to have a little break away from the game,” Briggs said.

“Hopefully it is only a short break but I think it is a good decision for her at the minute.”