ISLE of Wight-born Ben Attrill has taken an important step towards realising his dream of becoming a pro cricketer by joining an Australian club this winter.
The highly promising 19 year old, of Simeon Path, Sandown, has signed for Denmark, a club of the Albany and Districts Cricket Association, to further his game.
Ben, who flew out to his new home in Western Australia for the next six months, on Tuesday, was handed his opportunity after the Isle of Wight Cricket Board’s head coach, Andy Woodward, recommended him to an Australian coach at Worcestershire CCC.
From that chat, Denmark contacted Ben and agreed a contract with him, with the new season getting under way on Saturday, October 19.
Ben, a highly-regarded all-rounder who began his cricketing education with Ventnor — as the likes of county stars Danny Briggs and Adam Hose did — went on to make his mark for Lymington in the Southern Premier League when he was 16.
The teenager studied at the former Sandown Bay Academy, where he gained a scholarship to join Ryde School’s sixth form — representing them at cricket with distinction — and later, earning a place at Oxford Brookes University, to study sports and exercise science.
However, Ben has deferred his place for a year so he can take his big chance Down Under.
“ I’m really excited about playing out there — it’s always been a dream of mine,” said Ben.
“I want to be a professional cricketer, but if that doesn’t work out, I will study hard at uni.
“To be honest, I have no clue as to what the standard will be out there, but I hope to progress to second eleven county cricket when I get back.
“I aim, while I’m out there, to also get into the regional side.”
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