FORMER Lubeck-Murtoa cricketer Mitch Cutter-Rabl will travel to England as a part of a historic Australian cricket squad this month.
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The squad of 14 players will be first Australian cricket team to be fully funded on its travel abroad.
Cutter-Rabl said he was excited but still a little nervous.
“I missed out on the initial squad and I was a little upset but some other players weren’t able to go,” he said.
The squad includes four of Cutter-Rabl’s Victorian teammates from when the side won the National Cricket Inclusion Championships in January.
“It will be good to go away with some teammates I already know well,” he said.
“I got to know the rest of the players at training camp in April and it is a good group of players.
“I’m looking forward to playing with some new people.”
Cricket Victoria has supported its players well. Cutter-Rabl, now based in Geelong, said he was able to have four training sessions at the MCG before he departs with the squad on Tuesday.
“I’ve been able to get some solid sessions in,” he said.
“It was good to be able to have a hit with some mates.”
The all-rounder, who can bat, bowl and take the gloves behind the stumps, said it had been a long journey to get to the point where he would represent his country.
“There has been a lot of hard work put in since I first got involved with all-abilities cricket,” he said.
“It’s nice that it is paying off.”
The Australian team will compete against England and South Africa in a two-week tri-nations series.
After an opening ceremony on July 9 the team will play games in a 40-over format in the lead-up to a July 14 final.
The following week will be for Twenty20 games culminating in a final on July 21.
Cutter-Rabl said he would like his family and friends for their support.
“I’ve still got plenty of family and friends in the Wimmera,” he said.