Photo Credit: South Australian Cricket Association
Two SACA Premier Cricketers have been rewarded for strong First Grade form and have filled the remaining places of South Australia Men’s squad ahead of the 2024/25 season.
After earning a place in the Marsh Sheffield Shield side in the final match of last season and contributing to the comprehensive win, batter Conor McInerney has received another shot at State level.
Campbell Thompson, a pace bowler from East Torrens, has progressed through SACA’s Under 17s, Under 19s and Pathway Academy to earn a rookie contract.
Previously on South Australia’s list, McInerney has played 15 First Class matches along with one List A appearance.
After four years off the list, McInerney consistently made runs for Woodville and Glenelg, including 489 runs at an average of 54.33 in the 2023/24 season, plus a hundred for the SA Second XI side late in the season, to earn his spot back in the squad.
Twenty-year-old Thompson took 29 wickets in First Grade, the fourth most in the competition.
His performances earned him a position in the 2023/24 West End Premier Cricket Men’s Team of the Year.
It’s not the first time Thompson has been in a South Australian squad, having played in Under 19 National Championships in 2022.
These two signings come after Jason Sangha and Mackenzie Harvey were unveiled as South Australian players last week.
“We’re really pleased to have rewarded some strong SACA Premier Cricket performers with State contracts,” Harris said.
“Despite previously losing his spot on the list, Conor went back to Premier Cricket and put in seasons worth of consistent performances that have earned him a second chance.
“Campbell is a young gun who has already had a big impact on Premier Cricket and we are really excited to see him develop in our rookie program.
“We believe that including Conor and Campbell, along with Jason and Mackenzie, has nicely complemented our list and added great depth.
“We are looking forward to seeing what our entire 26-man squad can do in 2024/25.”
Full South Australia Men squad:
Wes Agar, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey, Harry Conway, Brendan Doggett, Daniel Drew, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Travis Head, Henry Hunt, Spencer Johnson, Thomas Kelly, Jake Lehmann, Ben Manenti, Nathan McAndrew, Conor McInerney, Nathan McSweeney (C), Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton
Rookies: Kyle Brazell, Aidan Cahill, Harry Matthias, Campbell Thompson
