Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium Batting style Right-handed | National side Italy (1999–2008) | |
Full name Andrea Gabriel Corbellari Born 28 June 1974 (age 42) ( 1974-06-28 ) Cape Town, South Africa | ||
Andrea Gabriel "Andy" Corbellari (born 28 June 1974) is a former Italian international cricketer who represented the Italian national team between 1999 and 2008. He played as a right-arm pace bowler and competent lower-order batsman.
Corbellari was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and learned cricket in that country, playing at junior levels for Western Province teams. He made his debut for Italy in September 1999, in an invitational tournament in Gibraltar. In 2000, Corbellari trialled for Middlesex, an English county team, playing two matches for them in the Second XI Trophy. Later in the year, he also represented Italy in Division One of the European Championship. He top-scored with 32 runs against Scotland, and recorded Italy's best bowling figures against Denmark (3/57) and the Netherlands (1/22).
In 2001, Corbellari was selected in Italy's squad for the 2001 ICC Trophy in Canada. However, only days before its scheduled start, the Italian Cricket Federation announced that it was withdrawing its team to protest a change in rules that made four Italian squad members (including Corbellari) ineligible, despite them being Italian citizens. At the 2002 European Championship, which was not subject to the same eligibility rules, Corbellari was again one of Italy's leading players. He took 4/33 against the Netherlands, helping his team to a rare win over that side, and also took wickets against Ireland and Scotland. Over the next few years, Corbellari represented Italy in two more editions of the European Championship, and also in their unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the 2007 World Cup. At the 2007 World Cricket League Division Three tournament, which was Italy's debut in the World Cricket League, he featured in all five of his team's matches, taking five wickets with a best of 2/29 against Fiji. Corbellari's final international appearances came at the 2008 WCL Division Four tournament in Tanzania. In four matches, he took six wickets, including 2/24 against Tanzania and 2/27 against Fiji.