SQUADS- PRE-SEASON

SQUAD CHANGES AROUND THE STATES
Tuesday 12 June 2007
Reigning Pura Cup champions Tasmania have made few changes to their squad for the coming season. The Tigers have lost the experienced Michael Bevan to retirement and young gun Matthew Wade, who has moved to Victoria in search of more opportunities. A serious knee injury sustained three years ago has claimed the career of bowler Andrew Downton, who was not offered a new contract. WA fast bowler Tim Macdonald, a solid performer at CA Cup level last year, and NSW spinner Jason Krezja, have been signed up on full contracts. NSW have blocked attempts by WA to lure former Test player Simon Katich back home by signing him to a long-term contract. Despite turning 32 this year, Katich has been handed a five-year deal by the Blues, which gives them a solid leader for a substantial period of time. Batsmen Ben Rohrer and Peter Forrest, who showed promise when blooded late last season, have been elevated to full contracts. Rohrer, a 26-year-old left handed batsman, made 163 on debut against Tasmania in March. Former Queenslander Nathan Hauritz, 12th man in the Blues’ Pura Cup final side, retains his place in the senior squad. Veteran batsmen Jason Arnberger and Jon Moss have lost their places in the Victorian squad. Promising youngster Aiden Blizzard, who impressed in the one-day competition, has earned a senior contract alongside Rob Quiney and promising young ex-Tasmanian wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade. The Victorians did turn to a 35-year-old in Bryce McGain, a leg-spinner who provides cover for the retired Shane Warne and possible international duties of skipper Cameron White. South Australia have extended their player contract list to 29, including eight rookies, as they attempt to lift themselves off the bottom of the Pura Cup table. Greg Blewett has retired, while Jason Borgas, Tom Plant and Peter George have earned full contracts.

Here are a list of the current Pura Cup squads for the forthcoming 2007/2008 season:

New South Wales
Aaron Bird, 24
Doug Bollinger, 25
Nathan Bracken, 29*
Mark Cameron, 26
Beau Casson, 24
Stuart Clark, 31*
Michael Clarke, 26*
Ed Cowan, 25
Scott Coyte, 22
Peter Forrest, 21
Brad Haddin, 29*
Nathan Hauritz, 25
Moises Henriques, 20
Phil Jacques, 28*
Simon Katich, 31
Grant Lambert, 29
Brett Lee, 30*
Stuart MacGill, 36*
Greg Mail, 29
Matthew Nicholson, 32
Aaron O'Brien, 25
Ben Rohrer, 26
Craig Simmons, 24
Daniel Smith, 25
Dominic Thornley, 28

Rookies:
Tom Cooper, 20
Phillip Hughes
Usman Khawaja, 20
Stephen O'Keefe, 22
Martin Paskal, 21
Steven Smith
David Warner, 20


Queensland
Jimmy Maher, 33
Andy Bichel, 36
Ryan Broad, 25
Michael Buchanan, 24
Daniel Doran, 26
Chris Hartley, 25
Matthew Hayden, 35*
James Hopes, 28*
Mitchell Johnson, 25*
Michael Kasprowicz, 35
Nick Kruger, 23
Martin Love, 33
Greg Moller, 24
Ashley Noffke, 30
Aaron Nye, 28
Clinton Perren, 32
Craig Philipson, 24
Nathan Rimmington, 24
Chris Simpson, 25
Grant Sullivan, 24
Andrew Symonds, 32*
Shane Watson, 26*

Rookies:
Ben Cutting, 20
Nathan Reardon, 22
Wade Townsend
Worrin Williams, 20


South Australia
Shaun Tait, 24*
Jason Gillespie, 32*
Cullen Bailey, 22*
Dan Cullen, 23*
Darren Lehmann, 37
Graham Manou, 28
Nathan Adcock, 29
Daniel Harris, 27
Ryan Harris, 27
Cameron Borgas, 23
Jason Borgas, 25
Matthew Elliott, 36
Mark Cosgrove, 22
Ben Cameron, 26
Mark Cleary, 26
Shane Deitz, 32
Paul Rofe, 26
Peter George, 20
Callum Ferguson, 22
Gary Putland, 21
Tom Plant, 23

Rookies:
Ken Skewes, 22
Chadd Sayers, 19
Simon Roberts, 21
James Smith, 18
Jake Haberfield, 20
Jake Brown, 21
Jason Donnelly, 19
Andy Delmont, 21


Tasmania
Adam Griffith, 29
Ben Hilfenhaus, 24*
Brendan Drew, 23
Brett Geeves, 25
Chris Duval, 23
Damien Wright, 31
Dane Anderson, 22
Daniel Marsh, 34
David Dawson, 25
George Bailey, 24
Jason Krejza
Luke Butterworth, 23
Michael Dighton, 31
Michael DiVenuto, 33
Ricky Ponting, 32*
Sean Clingleffer, 27
Tim Paine, 22
Tim MacDonald, 26
Travis Birt, 25
Xavier Doherty, 24

Rookies:
Alex Doolan, 21
James Faulkner
Jason Shelton, 22
Jeremy Smith
Jonathon Wells, 18
Mark Divin
Wade Irvine


Victoria
Aiden Blizzard, 22
Adam Crosthwaite, 22
Gerard Denton, 31
Shane Harwood, 33
John Hastings, 21
Brad Hodge, 32*
David Hussey, 29
Nick Jewell, 29
Michael Klinger, 26
Mick Lewis, 33
Lloyd Mash, 25
Andrew McDonald, 26
Bryce McGain, 35
Clint McKay, 24
Dirk Nannes, 31
Darren Pattinson, 28
Rob Quiney, 24
Peter Siddle, 22
Matthew Wade, 19
Cameron White, 23*
Allan Wise, 28

Rookies:
Aaron Finch, 20
Michael Hill, 18
Jon Holland, 20
James Pattinson, 17
Peter Nevill, 21


Western Australia
David Bandy, 28
Brett Dorey, 29
Theo Doropoulos, 22
Ben Edmonson, 28
Sean Ervine, 24
Adam Gilchrist, 35*
Shawn Gillies, 26
Aaron Heal, 24
Clint Heron, 28
Brad Hogg, 36*
Michael Hussey, 32*
Matthew Inness, 29
Trent Kelly
Justin Langer, 36
Steve Magoffin, 27
Shaun Marsh, 23
Danny McLaughlan
Marcus North, 27
Luke Pomersbach, 22
Chris Rogers, 29*
Luke Ronchi, 26
Adam Voges, 27*
Darren Wates, 29

Rookies:
Nathan Coulter Nile, 19
Liam Davis, 22
Chris Hansberry
Michael Johnson
Matthew Johnston
Josh Mangan, 21
Christopher Wood


* Cricket Australia contracted players

WELCOME

Given the interest generated in the inaugural Ford Ranger Cup competition last year, I thought it about time I start up a blog to discuss all things domestic cricket in Australia.

I will try and keep abreast of all news on the domestic scene including player contracts, scores, stats, rumours etc. Please also take time to visit my Pura Cup site which will be run in conjunction with this one throughout the season.

I am also keen to try and establish a network of local competition scores, were I will need your assistance to update. If you come across any information/scores etc. for any cricketing league around Australia, please email them to ken.rosewall@hotmail.com and I will add them in.

Take Care