With one cricket season wrapping up a couple of months ago and the contracting period up, each of the six states have settled on their squads. With some new faces around and some older ones leaving the competition, it's time to look at every state's squad for 2022/23 and where every domestic cricketer will be playing.
Western Australia
Regular Squad
Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Sam Fanning, Cameron Gannon, Aaron Hardie, Bryce Jackson, Matt Kelly, Shaun Marsh, David Moody, Lance Morris, Joel Paris, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, D'Arcy Short, Charlie Stobo, Ashton Turner, Sam Whiteman, and Teague Wyllie.
Cricket Australia Contracts
Ashton Agar, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Mitch Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis.
Rookie Squad
Cooper Connolly, Sam GREER, Jayden Goodwin, and Hamish McKenzie.
IN:Sam Fanning, Bryce Jackson, Sam Greer, Hamish McKenzie and Teague Wyllie.
OUT:Liam Guthrie
After making his debut in the 2000/01 season, Shaun Marsh continues playing. There are players in this squad such as Teague Wyllie who were barely born at that point. Interestingly, Josh Philippe continues in WA after some speculation that he might move on to NSW after the retirement of Peter Nevill.
WA Men's Head Coach Adam Voges said of the squad:
“It’s nice to keep the majority of the squad together after a successful season and it’s great to have five players on Cricket Australia contracts, which has allowed us to upgrade some of our rookies and bring some new faces into the squad.
“I’m really pleased that (Shaun Marsh) wants to go around again for another season. We had a good chat at the back end after the Shield Final, and he’s indicated he’s really keen to get stuck in for another year. He’ll not only provide great leadership for our squad, but he’s also one of our better players and his ability to mentor some of the up-and-coming guys is invaluable.”
South Australia
Regular Squad
Wes Agar, Jordan Buckingham, Jake Carder, Harry Conway, Brendan Doggett, Daniel Drew, David Grant, Henry Hunt, Spencer Johnson, Thomas Kelly, Jake Lehmann, Nathan McAndrew, Nathan McSweeney, Ben Manenti, Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald, and Nick Winter.
Cricket Australia Contracts
Alex Carey and Travis Head.
Rookie Squad
Kyle Brazell, Aiden Cahill, Bailey Capel, Isaac Higgins, Ryan King, and Harry Mathias.
IN:Jordan Buckingham, Harry Conway, Spencer Johnson, Thomas Kelly, Ben Manenti, Henry Thornton, Aidan Cahill, Issac Higgins, and Harry Matthias.
OUT:Ryan Gibson, Corey Kelly, Sam Kerber, Joe Mennie, Tim Oakley, Kane Richardson, and Dan Worrall.
A huge turnaround in players after the announcement that the SACA would be redeveloping theirPremier Cricket competitionwith a focus on getting the best out of the best players. Bringing in Harry Conway from NSW will be a huge coup, especially with him having the ability to teach the up and coming quick bowler like Henry Thornton.
Will it be enough for South Australia to compete back in the Sheffield Shield and One Day Cup? That is yet to be seen, but losing Dan Worrall, Kane Richardson and Joe Mennie won't make it easy.
South Australian Head Coach Jason Gillespie said of the squad:
“It is really exciting to be able to promote from within in regard to upgrades due to performance, but also some more experienced guys coming in to add real, genuine depth to our squad. It’s bloody exciting. We’ve shown we mean business and there is going to be huge competition for places which is just fantastic.
“I am incredibly excited. The lads are all jumping out of their skin ready to get in here and get to work. We want guys who desperately want to be perform and be successful for South Australia and that’s what we’ve got. The energy and positivity that every player on our list will bring is huge and we can’t wait to get going.”
Tasmania
Regular Squad
Tom Andrews, Gabe Bell, Jackson Bird, Iain Carlisle, Jake Doran, Nathan Ellis, Brad Hope, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Lawrence Neil-Smith, Sam Rainbird, Peter Siddle, Jordan Silk, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Charlie Wakim, Tim Ward, Beau Webster, and Mac Wright.
Cricket Australia Contracts
Nil.
Rookie Squad
Nick Davis, Jarrod Freeman, Mitch Owen, and Nivethan Radhakrishnan.
IN:Nick David and Billy Stanlake.
OUT:Tim Paine.
Not a big change of names in the Tasmania side, but one big out has and will continue to dominate all of the headlines. Tim Paine misses out on a contract after missing almost all of last season after the sexting scandal that saw him stripped of the Australian captaincy.
Tasmania has also brought in the big pace bowler Billy Stanlake who should do well on the green wickets of Hobart. It will also be interesting to see the development of Nivethan Radhakrishnan, who can bowl both right-arm and left-arm spin.
Tasmania Men's Head Coach Jeff Vaugh said of the squad:
“There is a good mix of senior and emerging players within the list, and on the back of a promising season 2021-22 we are excited for what’s ahead.
“With hopefully a full fixture of for both red and white-ball cricket this year, I’m really excited and confident about what this group can produce.”
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Victoria
Regular Squad
Travis Dean, Zak Evans, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Nic Maddinson, Cameron McClure, Jono Merlo, Todd Murphy, Tom O'Connell, Wil Parker, James Pattinson, Mitchell Perry, Will Pucovski, Matt Short, and Will Sutherland.
Cricket Australia Contracts
Scott Boland, Aaron Finch, and Glenn Maxwell.
Rookie Squad
Ashley Chandrasinghe, Brody Couch, Sam Elliott, Campbell Kellaway, and Fergus O'Neill.
IN:Ashley Chandrasinghe and Campbell Kellaway
OUT:Xavier Crone, Seb Gotch, James Seymour, and Tom Jackson.
The bulk of Victoria's squad remains the same. Although the loss of Seb Gotch is incredibly sad, he is leaving the game due to a chronic finger injury. A good mix of experience and youngsters with the likes of Todd Murphy being named in the upcoming Australia A squad.
James Pattinson will be a massive part of this side after announcing his retirement from international cricket and Will Pucovski who will be hoping for a full year's cricket. Keep an eye on Jono Merlo, who looks like the next Dan Christian with lower-order hitting and canny medium-pace bowling.
Victoria Cricket Performance Manger Shaun Graf said of the squad:
“The squad did a fantastic job to make it to the Marsh Sheffield Shield Final after a testing season which saw an interrupted start. Our squad depth was tested, calling on 20 players throughout the Shield season. The upside to that was continuing to develop our emerging talent which holds us in good stead for this season.
"Scott Boland’s international performances over the summer was no surprise to us and we’re thrilled that he’s been able to secure a Cricket Australia contract.
“Ash Chandrasinghe and Campbell Kellaway have both progressed through the Cricket Victoria pathway system and shown their quality by scoring a lot of runs at Victorian Premier Cricket level and above. Chandrasinghe’s performances for the Victorian Second XI and Kellaway’s performances at the U19 World Cup indicate to us that they’re ready to progress into domestic cricket.
“The progression of Murphy and McClure this season was very pleasing. They were both presented with some difficult situations in matches and were able to make good decisions and perform strongly. We’re excited for Todd to get an opportunity to tour Sri Lanka with Australia A and look forward to following that closely.”
New South Wales
Regular Squad
Sean Abbott, Trent Copeland, Oliver Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Ryan Hackney, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Lachlan Hearne, Moises Henriques, Baxter Holt, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Kurtis Patterson (c), Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, and Chris Tremain.
Cricket Australia Contracts
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, and Adam Zampa.
Rookie Squad
Liam Doddrell, Blake Nikitaras, Jack Nisbet, Lachlan Shaw, Will Salzmann, and Hunar Verma.
IN:Liam Doddrell, Ryan Hadley, Hayden Kerr, Blake Nikitaras, Lachlan Shaw, and Will Salzmann.
OUT:Josh Baraba, Harry Conway, and Peter Nevill.
New South Wales once again names the biggest squad in the country. That is the luck that comes with having so many Australian contracted players.
Peter Nevill retiring will be a big out for the Blue Baggers, although they will be well served by Baxter Holt and Lachlan Hearne at different points through the season. Kurtis Patterson takes the captaincy from Nevill for the year, although we may see Dan Hughes at different points. Keep an eye on the Sangha boys this year, it could be the season they go from state-contracted players to Australian contenders.
Head of NSW Cricket Michael Klinger said of the list:
“Hayden Kerr was one of the stars of the Australian domestic summer and he has thoroughly deserved his opportunity for a Blues contract.
“He is 25 and wasn’t even on a rookie deal last year so it goes to show if you work hard and produce the right performances when given a chance, anything is possible.
“Blake (Nikitaras) is similar and he took his opportunity in our last Sheffield Shield match with both hands. While he is 22 and older than our other new rookies Lachy Shaw, Will Salzmann and Liam Doddrell, he has demonstrated that a weight of runs or wickets in Premier Cricket, followed up by outstanding Second XI performances, can lead to a professional opportunity.
“Our focus on development and growth will further allow these players and others like Ryan Hadley, who earned an upgraded contract, to continue their progression to have a long term sustainable professional cricketer career.”
Queensland
Regular Squad
Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Jack Clayton, Blake Edwards, Liam Guthrie, Sam Heazlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Kane Richardson, Gurinder Sandhu, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street, Connor Sully, Sam Trulof, and Jack Wildermuth.
Cricket Australia Contracts
Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Mitchell Swepson.
Rookie Squad
William Prestwidge, Jackson Sinfield, Hugo Burdon, and Matthew Willans.
IN:Jack Clayton, Liam Guthrie, Kane Richarson, Gurinder Sandhu, Connor Sully, Sam Truloff, Jackson Sinfield, and Hugo Burdon.
OUT:Lachlan Pfeffer, Billy Stanlake, and Jack Wood.
This year, the biggest change in names is Queensland, with plenty coming in and not as many coming out. That is partially due to Usman Khawaja and Mitch Swepson being back on the Cricket Australia contract list but also partly due to a need for more depth in the squad.
In the white-ball game, a couple of big coups will be important, particularly Gurinder Sandhu and Kane Richardson. This year, Jack Wildermuth will be one to watch with Matt Renshaw, who could easily find himself back in the Aussie squad in 12 months time.
Queensland Cricket General Manager - High-Performance Bennett King said of the squad:
“We’re pleased to welcome Kane and Liam to Queensland and look forward to having them as part of the group.
“Kane’s experience around the bowling group will no doubt be very helpful, while we are excited to provide Liam with an opportunity to further develop his skills.
“It’s great to be able to reward Gurinder Sandhu for his hard work over the past two years, and similarly, bring Jack Clayton and Connor Sully through the rookie system onto a full contract for the first time.
“Sam Truloff has also been recognised through his sheer weight of runs at all levels, and we congratulate him on his perseverance to return to the list after previously being a part of the Bulls squad. He will set a valuable example to the squad, especially our younger players and rookies who are embarking on what we hope will be fulfilling careers.
“Finally, for the players moving on, we thank Billy, Jack and Lachy for their efforts during their time as squad members and wish them every success for the future.”