The Redbacks’ rebuild lastly bore fruit in 2022/23 as Jason Gillespie’s males overcame the chances to seek out themselves within the one-day cup closing with Western Australia. Despite WA dominating on the day, the truth that the Redbacks had been capable of come so near a aspect held in such excessive regard throughout the Australian home cricket panorama is an indication that issues are lastly beginning to click on. The rebuild itself nevertheless has been unconventional, with a good portion of South Australia’s squad comprised of interstate recruits who had been fringe gamers of their house states, with the likes of Nathan McSweeney, Nathan McAndrew, Wes Agar, Ben Manenti and Henry Hunt benefiting from their alternatives with the Redbacks, with a number of now common Australia A representatives. As they appear to capitalise on the momentum of final season and enhance their performances within the Sheffield Shield, let’s take a deep dive into South Australia’s squad for the 2023/24 season.Henry Hunt. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)Last Season In NumbersSheffield Shield: 4th on ladder (2 wins, 4 attracts, 4 losses)Leading Run-Scorers: Daniel Drew (656 runs at 43.73)Jake Lehmann (531 runs at 31.23)Nathan McSweeney (492 runs at 35.14)
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Leading Wicket-Takers: Wes Agar (36 wickets at 27.36)Nathan McAndrew (28 wickets at 30.46)Ben Manenti (23 wickets at 36.91)One-Day Cup: 2nd on ladder (4 wins, 3 losses)Leading Run-Scorers: Henry Hunt (292 runs at 41.71)Nathan McSweeney (284 runs at 40.57)Jake Lehmann (238 runs at 47.60)Leading Wicket-Takers: Henry Thornton (14 wickets at 28.71)Ben Manenti (11 wickets at 33.45)Wes Agar (10 wickets at 34.70)South Australia 2023/24 squad: Wes Agar, Jordan Buckingham, Jake Carder, Alex Carey*, Harry Conway, Brendan Doggett, Daniel Drew, Jake Fraser-McGurk, David Grant, Travis Head*, Henry Hunt, Spencer Johnson, Thomas Kelly, Jake Lehmann, Nathan McAndrew, Nathan McSweeney, Ben Manenti, Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton, Kelvin Smith. Rookies: Kyle Brazell, Aidan Cahill, Isaac Higgins, Harry Matthias*Cricket Australia contractIns and OutsIns: Jake Fraser-McGurk (Victoria), Kelvin SmithOuts: Jake Weatherald (Tasmania), Bailey Capel, Ryan King, Nick WinterAlex Carey. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
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Darwin-born opener Jake Weatherald departed the Redbacks after eight seasons with the transfer approaching the again of his resolution to step away from the sport for psychological well being causes final December. Despite his exit, South Australia have a ready-made substitute in Kelvin Smith, who broke again into the aspect final season after years of toiling away in Premier Cricket. At 29, Smith is not any stranger to home cricket, having made his Shield debut again in 2013. One of the extra intriguing strikes of the low season was Jake Fraser-McGurk’s departure from Victoria, having knocked again a rookie contract from the Vics after beforehand being absolutely contracted. The Redbacks had been fast to pounce on the 21-year-old, who burst onto the scene at 18, however has since struggled to profit from his alternatives on the home degree. Swing bowler Nick Winter has additionally departed the squad after falling out of favour lately and is joined by Bailey Capel and Ryan King.Squad BreakdownBatters: Jake Carder, Daniel Drew, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Travis Head, Henry Hunt, Thomas Kelly, Jake Lehmann, Nathan McSweeney, Kelvin Smith, Kyle Brazell, Isaac HigginsWicket-Keepers: Alex Carey, Harry Nielsen, Harry MatthiasAll-Rounders: Nathan McAndrew, Ben Manenti, Liam Scott, Aidan CahillQuick Bowlers: Wes Agar, Jordan Buckingham, Harry Conway, Brendan Doggett, David Grant, Spencer Johnson, Henry ThorntonSpinners: Lloyd PopeHaving beforehand been mentioned as a possible substitute for David Warner in Australia’s Test aspect, Henry Hunt led the best way for the Redbacks within the One Day Cup with 292 runs, however was unable to copy his type within the Sheffield Shield, enduring a irritating season that noticed him common simply 25.94 with the bat, having posted 601 runs at 42.93 the season prior. With Kelvin Smith returning to the fold, South Australia will hope the pair can type a strong partnership on the high of the order. Daniel Drew might be trying to choose up the place he left off final season, with the right-hander scoring 656 runs from eight matches, which included an unbelievable knock of 208* towards eventual Shield winners Western Australia.
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Former Queenslander Nathan McSweeney had a breakout season, taking house South Australia’s Most Improved Player award after a mixed 776-run season that noticed him catapulted into the Australia A setup, and was even chosen as a co-captain for the aspect. Jake Lehmann bought his profession again on observe final season, captaining the aspect in Travis Head’s absence and turning into a beneficial presence within the middle-order in Sheffield Shield and one-day cricket. Travis Head. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)Youngsters Thomas Kelly and Fraser-McGurk might be pushing laborious to interrupt into the aspect, as will Jake Carder, who seemingly faces a make-or-break yr, with the 27-year-old managing simply 180 runs in six Shield matches final season. Travis Head and Alex Carey might be unavailable for a lot of the beginning of the home season on account of their involvement within the ODI World Cup, with Harry Nielsen as soon as once more poised to take the gloves in Carey’s absence.Although many thought that Harry Conway can be the increase recruit for South Australia final summer season, it was Ben Manenti who proved to be arguably the most important coup, impressing with bat and ball and enjoying an enormous position within the success the Redbacks had final season. Having made his Shield and one-day debuts as an uncontracted participant for Tasmania in 2021/22, the Sydney-born off-spinner stepped as much as develop into the aspect’s essential spinner final season, and his performances with the bat had been so spectacular he discovered himself as excessive as quantity six in direction of the tip of final summer season. Fellow import Liam Scott discovered himself on the fringes final season, however nonetheless managed to impress for South Australia’s second XI, scoring 408 runs in 5 matches, and his versatility ought to see the 22-year-old all-rounder concerned within the home set-up once more.The Redbacks have quietly assembled a formidable fast-bowling unit over current seasons, with the quartet of Wes Agar, Nathan McAndrew, Jordan Buckingham and Spencer Johnson all being chosen for the Australia A aspect in current instances. The assault was led by Wes Agar final season, with 36 wickets in Shield cricket, whereas McAndrew additionally added 28 of his personal. Buckingham has definitely flown underneath the radar, having established himself as a constant operator at Shield degree.
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Spencer Johnson. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)The emergence of Johnson final season has taken the Redbacks’ bowling assault to a different degree, with the menacing left-armer exploding onto the scene, taking 20 wickets in his first 4 Shield matches and incomes choice for Australia’s white-ball tour of South Africa. Johnson additionally confirmed monumental religion within the Redbacks after opting to re-sign with the state, knocking again a suggestion from Queensland.Gillespie lately instructed his aspect has the most effective fast-bowling depth within the nation, and with the likes of Brendan Doggett, Conway and David Grant raring to go if and when the chance presents itself, it’s laborious to argue with him. Conway’s swap from NSW final season was one of many extra high-profile strikes final season however struggled to make an affect earlier than finally being dropped, and might be trying to discover type once more this summer season, whereas Doggett is a ready-made depth possibility if referred to as upon. Thornton’s transfer from Victoria final season went unnoticed by many however proved to be a shrewd piece of enterprise from the Redbacks, with the right-armer happening to complete as his aspect’s main wicket-taker within the One-Day Cup.The Redbacks have additionally proven religion in leg-spinner Lloyd Pope, who has did not reside as much as expectations after rising to prominence in early 2020 following an unbelievable efficiency within the under-19 World Cup that noticed him destroy England with figures of 8/35. Manenti’s addition noticed Pope not make an look for South Australia final season, however Gillespie has said that the Redbacks will proceed to stick with him as he develops.
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Predicted Sheffield Shield XI
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Kelvin SmithHenry HuntDaniel DrewNathan McSweeneyJake Lehmann (c)Harry Nielsen (wk)Ben ManentiNathan McAndrewWes AgarSpencer JohnsonJordan BuckinghamPredicted One-Day Cup XIKelvin SmithHenry HuntDaniel DrewNathan McSweeneyJake Lehmann (c)Ben ManentiHarry Nielsen (wk)Nathan McAndrewWes AgarHenry ThorntonSpencer Johnson*Travis Head and Alex Carey excluded on account of nationwide crew commitments.How They’ll Go: While the Redbacks might be trying to go from power to power in 2023/24, South Australian followers shouldn’t be alarmed if their enchancment isn’t mirrored on the ladder. The aspect is shaping up very properly, and opposition sides might be very cautious of them, however they’re maybe not fairly on the degree of different states … but. The Redbacks may very well be a darkish horse, significantly within the Shield, however anticipate them to complete across the mid-table mark as soon as once more.Shield Prediction: 4thOne-Day Cup Prediction: third
First seem at Dizzy’s misfit Redbacks on the rise: South Australia 2023/24 squad preview
