Photo Credit: South Australian Cricket Association
A summer of opportunity beckons as the West End Redbacks return to action in Monday’s Marsh One-Day Cup clash against Queensland at Allan Border Field.
Redbacks squad: Travis Head (c), Wes Agar, Alex Carey (wk), Harry Conway, Henry Hunt, Jake Lehmann, Ben Manenti, Nathan McAndrew, Nathan McSweeney, Lloyd Pope, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald
Each state will play seven matches during the minor round with the two top-ranked teams qualifying for the Final on March 8 next year.
A new-look South Australian squad will be hunting its first limited overs title since 2011-12 and Head Coach Jason Gillespie said there was an air of excitement amongst the group.
“The lads have had a really good pre-season,” Gillespie said.
“We’ve managed to get some good trial games under our belts and the guys are ready to play. We’re excited, we just want to get up to Queensland, get stuck in and get into the cricket.”
Long-serving figures such as Sayers, Ferguson, Worrall, Richardson, Mennie and Zampa have all departed the SACA setup over the past few years, allowing a fresh wave of talent to shine through in the form of Henry Hunt, Jake Carder, Nathan McAndrew, Liam Scott, Nathan McSweeney and Daniel Drew amongst others.
Newcomers such as Harry Conway, Henry Thornton and Ben Manenti will also be eager to make their mark on their first summer in South Australia.
“We’ve had a bit of turnover in our squad over the past few years,” Gillespie said.
“That has created opportunities and a good, healthy competition for spots. The lads are all helping each other to improve which has been fantastic and exactly what we want.
“The players know that some guys are going to get selected, others are going to miss out – that’s the nature of professional sport.
“But they all know we’re not going to challenge for a trophy with 11 players, it’s going to take a full squad effort.”
While there are plenty of fresh faces, the familiar leadership of Australian Test stars Travis Head and Alex Carey will be invaluable with both expected to be available for the Redbacks’ opening four matches of the Marsh One-Day Cup.
The pair were South Australia’s top two leading run-scorers in last year’s tournament. Captain Head memorably crushed a record-breaking 230 runs from just 127 balls to lead his side to a convincing victory in SA’s most recent clash with the Bulls, while Carey went on to win the state’s 2021-22 One-Day Cup MVP award.
Head looks in fine touch again heading into the new season, carving a 91 from 114 deliveries in a recent pre-season trial.
Experienced batsman Jake Lehmann also forced his name back in front of selectors with two pre-season centuries, while right-hander Drew was another to post a triple-figure total as he targets a List A debut.
Fast bowler McAndrew and former Tasmanian off-spinner Manenti have been the standouts with the ball during SA’s internal trials and will be eyeing spots in Gillespie’s first XI of the summer.
Paceman Brendan Doggett (hip flexor) and emerging batter Thomas Kelly (leg) will be unavailable for selection in the early stages of the series.
Every game of the Marsh One-Day Cup will be live streamed on cricket.com.au, the CA Live app and Kayo Sports. A total of 13 matches, including South Australia’s first two outings against Queensland and Tasmania, will be broadcast live on Fox Cricket.
South Australia will host two Marsh One-Day Cup matches at Adelaide Oval on Friday October 21 against Tasmania and Wednesday February 15 against Western Australia. Tickets are $10 for adults. Entry is free for SACA members and patrons under 18 years of age.
West End Redbacks 2022-23 contract list: Wes Agar, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey (Cricket Australia contract), Jake Carder, Harry Conway, Brendan Doggett, Daniel Drew, David Grant, Travis Head (Cricket Australia contract), Henry Hunt, Spencer Johnson, Thomas Kelly, Jake Lehmann, Nathan McAndrew, Nathan McSweeney, Ben Manenti, Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald, Nick Winter. Rookies: Kyle Brazell, Aiden Cahill, Bailey Capel, Isaac Higgins, Ryan King, Harry Matthias
