Photo Credit: South Australian Cricket Association
The opening lines of a new chapter in the South Australian Cricket Association’s 150-year story will be penned on Wednesday when the West End Redbacks take on Western Australia in a Marsh One-Day Cup clash at Karen Rolton Oval.
A single day remains in Jason Gillespie’s maiden pre-season as Head Coach, and today his coaching unit have named a 13-player squad for the mouth-watering limited-overs battle on home soil. The final team will be named when the coin falls to the turf on Wednesday morning.
Speaking ahead of the game, Gillespie spoke of the strengths the Redbacks have been building throughout the cooler months.
“There are so many new faces in our squad this season, both on and off the field, and we have had an amazing winter bonding as a team while working extremely hard to produce our best cricket. Competition for spots has been fierce; we know it takes more than the 11 players selected to get the results we want, and so our entire unit will continue to work together as we proudly represent South Australia on the national stage.
“We just can’t wait to get out there and play some cricket.”
While the squad features the familiar names of skipper Travis Head, vice-captain Alex Carey, opening and middle-order batsman Jake Weatherald, Harry Nielsen and Jake Lehmann and experienced quicks Daniel Worrall, Kane Richardson and Wes Agar, the changes made throughout the off-season are clear to see.
After debuting late last season in the coloured clothes, Ryan Gibson and Sam Kerber have fought their way into contention with a series of strong months on the training track. The chilly season’s namesake, Nick Winter, has also put his name forward for a return to the state side in the season opener. After bursting back onto the South Australian scene in recent years, Winter has worked tirelessly for a chance to wear the Redbacks emblem again, and his selection in the opening squad of the summer rewards that effort.
Since crossing from New South Wales, Nathan McAndrew has impressed both on and off the field in the southern state and his ability with both bat and ball sees his magnet affixed to the whiteboard this week. 22-year-old Nathan McSweeney also heard his name read out following an impressive and highly competitive dawn on his career as a Redback.
In addition to sharing eight consecutive letters to begin their name, McAndrew and McSweeney have the potential to share a debut in red on Wednesday, something sure to generate plenty of excitement around the new-look playing group.
As touched on by Gillespie, the fight for places is already as hot as an Adelaide summer, and likely to get hotter as the season progresses, with several names sure to have an eye on the team sheet in the coming weeks. Recruit Brendan Doggett, who’s last domestic clash was a victorious Shield final in Queensland colours, will miss the opening game as he continues to build his workload following a period of quarantine as a result of border restrictions.
Joe Mennie, after missing last season while in the UK, is another who’s experience and proven wicket-taking ability to likely to have him in contention as the summer progresses. Following a breakout 2020/21 season, allrounder Liam Scott, who was promoted to number three in the batting line up to finish the recent Shield season, is working his way back from a hamstring injury and is sure to strongly press his case soon.
The last time South Australia and Western Australia met in 50-over cricket, fans were witness to one of the most remarkable One-Day Cup games in memory. 596 deliveries were bowled and 725 runs were scored in the remarkable contest, with Travis Head belting a staggering 142 from 86 in partnership with Harry Nielsen, who amassed 110 from 118 at the top of the order.
Cameron Green and Shaun Marsh returned the favour for Western Australia, also both raising the bat to mark triple figures as the home side claimed a 13-run triumph in an instant classic.
The West End Redbacks season opening Marsh One-Day Cup clash against Western Australia begins at 10am at Karen Rolton Oval, with entry free to the public. For those unable to be there, the game will also be streamed live on cricket.com.au and Kayo Sport.
West End Redbacks Squad
Travis Head (c)
Wes Agar
Alex Carey (vc) (wk)
Ryan Gibson
Sam Kerber
Jake Lehmann
Nathan McAndrew
Nathan McSweeney
Harry Nielsen
Kane Richardson
Jake Weatherald
Nick Winter
Daniel Worrall
Name of Author: South Australian Cricket Association
The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) is the governing body for cricket in South Australia. Based in Adelaide, it oversees the South Australian men’s and women’s teams and manages the South Australian Grade Cricket League.
