Amari Ebbin is relishing the opportunity to further his development on and off the field after signing with the Bellbridge Cricket Club for the upcoming Australian season.

The 24-year-old Bermuda batter, has agreed a deal as the club’s designated overseas professional for the entirety of the upcoming Victorian Turf Cricket Association Division Five campaign which is scheduled to start in October.

Ebbin, who was playing overseas for the University of South Wales last season, is excited for a new challenge and chance to test himself in a new environment.

“I’ve been thinking trying to play in Australia for some time but with University and the Covid pandemic I had to put the idea off for a little while, said Ebbin. ”However, after enjoying a good season and making my international debut a number of clubs had enquired about my availability with my agency [Konnect Sports Agency].

“They were able to sort out an opportunity with Bellbridge and so I’ve signed on as their overseas professional for the six-month season, which is a great opportunity for me.

“I’ve always been interested in Australia, both as a country to visit but also for the cricket. I believe they have one of the strongest domestic systems and the quality is very high throughout the leagues.

“I’ve been over in the United Kingdom for a few years and so I felt it was about time to have a new challenge. This will be another tough environment to test and push myself.

“The aim is to try and learn in a different overseas environment, grow my game and further develop as much I can as a player.”

Having experienced international cricket for the first time as part of the Bermuda squad who competed in ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League B, Ebbin is also confident that his time in Australia can also have a major impact on his future chances with the national squad.

“I was really appreciative to be part of the national squad for the matches in Uganda,” he added. “It proved a really tough tour but on a personal level it showed me what I have to do to improve as a player moving forward.

“It’s one of the reasons why I want to go to Australia and play in another different country. It’s a chance for to develop further in a different environment and then apply that if I get some more games with the national team in the future.

“I want to do whatever I can to further my development and grow as much as player.”

As well testing himself on the field, Ebbin will also have the opportunity to further develop off the field, with the move seeing him taking up a coaching role with the club’s junior players.

“I’ve always had the ambition to get into coaching,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for the past three years and I’m going through my coaching qualifications.

“I really enjoy doing it because you get the chance to help others develop their game and see their progression.

“It’s also a great experience for me as well because you get to work with all different kinds of children and have that chance to sit back, observe and learn from them as well.”