2011/12 Domestic Cricket Season Preview
The new domestic cricket season is upon us and here at Making the Nut, we are across every angle of state cricket in 2011/12. In this article, we’ll run the rule over all six state sides and speculate on their prospects for the coming season. We’ll also give you some names to watch out for as the new generation of Australia’s cricketers seek to make it to the big time.
Stay tuned throughout the season for player interviews, match analysis and of course, it wouldn’t be Making the Nut without the odd betting tip.
Victoria and Queensland open the season on Sunday with a Ryobi Cup fixture. Thankfully, the limited over competition returns to the more traditional format for the 2011/12 season, dispensing with the horrendous ‘split innings’ disaster that players and fans were forced to suffer last year for no apparent reason. This year, some day-night Shield matches will be played which Cricket Australia are hopeful will lead to increased crowds and a possible preview to Test cricket under lights in the future.
For those interested, the complete season fixture guide can be found by clicking here.
SEASON PREVIEW
Tasmania Tigers
Home Grounds: Bellerieve Oval, West Park Oval (Burnie).
Coach: Tim Coyle Captain: George Bailey
Last Year: Sheffield Shield – Champions, Ryobi Cup – runners up
Squad: George Bailey, Jackson Bird (in-NSW), Luke Butterworth, Steven Cazzulino, Mark Cosgrove, Ed Cowan, Xavier Doherty, Alex Doolan, Matthew Day, Brendan Drew, Evan Gulbis (in-VIC), Ben Hilfenhaus, Matt Johnston (in-WA), Jason Krezja, Nick Kruger, James Faulkner, Adam Maher, Tim Paine, Ricky Ponting, Tom Triffit.
Rookies: Sam Rainbird, Sandy Rogers (in-NSW), Jeremy Smith, Marc Simonds, Ashton May.
Outs: Travis Birt (WA),Adam Griffith, Gerard Denton, Brett Geeves (all retired), Tim MacDonald, Rhett Lockyear, Jon Wells, Hamish Kingston, Brady Jones (all delisted).
It’s rare that you’d say the rest of the country is jealous of Tasmania, but after an extremely successful 2010/11 season in both formats, the Tigers have set the benchmark for the rest of the competition to aspire to. A triumphant Sheffield Shield win (the 2nd in Tasmanian history) was achieved by top quality fast bowling and batsmen who valued their wickets. Interstate import Cosgrove had his most effective year at this level in 2010/11 and along with Cowan, Bailey and Doolan will again provide the backbone of the order. In Butterworth, Hilfenhaus, Faulkner and Maher, the Tigers possess four fast men capable of knocking sides over cheaply, especially on the bowler-friendly Bellerieve wicket. Coach Coyle has done a fantastic job with his side, who have an outstanding team spirit and a solid game plan in one-day cricket. With international call-ups unlikely to disrupt the Tigers too much this season, you could anticipate the boys from the Apple Isle will be contending in both formats once again.
Predictions: Sheffield Shield – Finalists, Ryobi Cup – Winners.
Expect a Big Year From: James Faulkner
The 21 year old all-rounder took big steps with the ball last season, taking 36 wickets @ 17.72 in the victorious Shield team. Faulkner’s batting is also steadily improving and you can look for his First-Class average of 29.86 to improve this season. A smoky for Australian honours in the shorter forms this year.
NSW Blues
Home Grounds: Sydney Cricket Ground, North Sydney Oval, Manuka Oval.
Coach: Anthony Stuart Captain: Simon Katich
Last Year: SheffieldShield – runners up, Ryobi Cup – lost semi final
Squad: Doug Bollinger, Michael Clarke, Patrick Cummins, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Brett Lee, Steve Smith, Shane Watson, Beau Casson, Stuart Clark, Burt Cockley, Trent Copeland, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Phil Jaques, Simon Katich, Nic Maddinson, Peter Nevill, Steve O’Keefe, Ben Rohrer, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.
Rookies: Timm Van Der Gugten, Adam Zampa, Nathan Brain, Sean Abbott, Nic Bills.
Outs: Peter Forrest (QLD), Mark Cameron (WA), Joe Mennie (SA), Nathan Bracken (retired), Scott Coyte, Dan Smith, Tim Armstrong, Luke Doran (all de-listed).
With 10 players on Cricket Australia contracts, the Blues have an embarrassment of riches in their ranks. As was highly publicised however, there was no room on the CA list for Simon Katich and that is a huge bonus for New South Wales. Cruelly dumped from the Aussie Test team, Katich will have a point to prove and his runs and leadership could be the decisive factor as the Blues look to claim silverware this season. On the bowling front, NSW have speed to burn and depth which will cover the inevitable national call-ups. At the time of writing, the Blues had played themselves into a T20 Champions League semi in India, which means they will face a packed domestic schedule as soon as they arrive home. With so much variation in their attack, it is hard to see anyone getting the better of them in four day cricket this season. If there are any weaknesses, it could be said they lack explosive batsmen in the shorter forms when their international stars are away. On paper though, it’s hard to see them coming away without at least one title this year.
Predictions: SheffieldShield – Winners, Ryobi Cup – 3rd.
Expect a Big Year From: Moises Henriques
The Portugese born all-rounder has been on the scene for quite a while, so it may come as a shock to learn he is still only 24 years old. Potential saw him play for Australia in ODI cricket two seasons ago, but no centuries and only two ‘five-fors’ for NSW in 67 games across both formats suggests he has underachieved to date. Has produced some match winning performances so far in the T20 Champions League and perhaps this will be the year he finally comes of age.
Victoria Bushrangers
Home Ground: Melbourne Cricket Ground
Coaches: Greg Shipperd (Shield), Simon Helmot (Ryobi Cup) Captain: Cameron White
Last Year: Sheffield Shield – 5th, Ryobi Cup – Champions
Squad: Cameron White, Peter Siddle, David Hussey, John Hastings, James Pattinson, Ryan Carters, Mark Cleary, Aaron Finch, Steven Gilmour, Jayde Herrick, Michael Hill, Brad Hodge, Jon Holland, Alex Keath, Glenn Maxwell, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Darren Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Chris Rogers, Will Sheridan, Matthew Wade.
Rookies: Brett Forsyth, Peter Handscombe, Steven Reid, Scott Boland.
Outs: Shane Harwood, Bryce McGain, Dirk Nannes, Damien Wright (all retired), Jackson Coleman (de-listed).
The Vics were winners in the one-day format last year on the back of some massive batting performances by Brad Hodge in particular, but struggled in four day cricket as injuries and Aussie call-ups hit them hard. With White and Hussey currently out of the national ODI team, Victoria should benefit – although they (and Aaron Finch) will miss the opening round due to T20 commitments in South Africa. The pace bowling depth looks good but the retirement of McGain leaves a big hole in the spin department which Jon Holland will be expected to fill. Victoria have split the coaching duties for each format and it will be interesting to see what sort of impact that makes on performances. The Vics look more likely to contend in the one-day comp although will make a tilt at the Shield title if they can keep their bowlers on the park.
Predictions: Sheffield Shield – 3rd, Ryobi Cup – finalists.
Expect a Big Year From: Andrew McDonald
Everybody loves a redhead and big Ronnie is certainly a very likeable fellow. Since making his Test debut as a relative unknown a couple of years back, McDonald’s star has faded somewhat, but he did peel off 458 Shield runs last year in just 8 hits before injury cut his season short. He took out the T20 player of the year in county cricket during the winter and seems to be in the best form of his career right now.
Queensland Bulls
Home Grounds: The Gabba, Ray Mitchell Oval (Mackay).
Coach: Darren Lehmann Captain: James Hopes
Last Year: Sheffield Shield – 3rd, Ryobi Cup – last.
Squad: Cameron Boyce, Ryan Broad, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Ben Dunk, Luke Feldman, Jason Floros, Peter Forrest (in-NSW), Ryan Harris, Chris Hartley, James Hopes, Chris Lynn, Alister McDermott, Michael Neser, Nathan Reardon, Andrew Robinson, Chris Swan, Scott Walter.
Rookies: Corey Barsby, Nick Buchanan, Cameron Gannon, Alex Kemp, James Pierson, Nick Stevens.
Outs: Nathan Rimmington (WA), Wade Townsend, Craig Philipson, Lee Carseldine, Chris Simpson, Ben Laughlin, Jake Hannan (all de-listed).
New coach Darren Lehmann has a huge task in front of him with the ‘Baby Bulls’ by far the youngest squad in the competition. Having cut a number of experienced players from the contract list this season, it’s hard to see Queensland being around when the silverware is getting handed out. That said, the Bulls have previously had a knack of finding quality young players that step up to the plate straight away and there will be no shortage of opportunities in the maroon and gold this season. The bowling looks strong enough with Feldman, Swan, Hopes and Cutting providing plenty of support for Ryan Harris when available. However, the batting seems to lack experience right through the order and visiting teams will surely fancy their chances of knocking the Bulls over cheap on a spicy Gabba track. This could be the beginning of a new generation of Queensland success, but there may be some short term pain before future success.
Predictions: Sheffield Shield – 5th, Ryobi Cup – last.
Expect a Big Year From: Chris Lynn
At the tender age of 21, right hander Lynn has already got three First-Class centuries to his name. Scores of 142 not out against WA and 172 against Victoria last season show he has a penchant for making big totals when he gets set. With few big names in the Bulls batting order, Lynn will be relied on to produce plenty this year and he has looked right at home in his 12 matches so far, as an average of almost 48 would attest.
South Australia Redbacks
Home Ground: Adelaide Oval
Coach: Darren Berry Captain: Michael Klinger
Last Year: Sheffield Shield – last, Ryobi Cup – 5th.
Squad: Cullen Bailey, Aiden Blizzard, Cameron Borgas, Daniel Christian, Tom Cooper, Mick Delaney, Theo Doropoulous, Callum Ferguson, Peter George, Jake Haberfield, Daniel Harris, Michael Klinger, Tim Ludeman, Nathan Lyon, Aaron O’Brien, Gary Putland, Kane Richardson, Chadd Sayers, James Smith
Rookies: Tom Thornton, Ben Dougall, Elliot Opie, Joe Mennie (in-NSW).
Outs: Tim Lang, Ben Edmondson (retired) Michael Cranmer, Tom Moffat, Matthew Weeks (de-listed).
Darren Berry took the reins at Adelaide Oval for last year’s Big Bash, in which the Redbacks stormed to victory. The whispers are that Berry may just be the man to lead SA cricket out of the dark, following nearly more than a decade of mismanagement and poor performances. Former WA batsman Theo Doropoulous is the major addition to the squad which won just one First Class match last season. The batting is strong with Klinger, Ferguson, Blizzard and Harris the mainstays, however the bowling looks very weak. Failure to take 20 wickets has been a problem for the Redbacks since Tait, Gillespie and Ryan Harris all left the scene and that looks likely to continue this summer. With half their matches played on the flat Adelaide Oval strip, SA will struggle further should Nathan Lyon retain his Test spot. One day cricket looks the Redbacks’ best chance of winning a trophy, but it won’t be this year.
Predictions: Sheffield Shield – last, Ryobi Cup – 4th.
Expect a Big Year From: Callum Ferguson
Not long ago, Ferguson was the rising star of Australian cricket with some excellent performances in the ODI arena. A horrific injury sustained in the final of the Champions Trophy sidelined him for over 12 months and following a modest season last year, Ferguson could be set to explode in 2011/12 with a full pre-season behind him. Consistent performances for the Redbacks should see him back in Aussie colours in the near future.
Western Australia Warriors
Home Ground: WACA Ground
Coach: Mickey Arthur Captain: Marcus North
Last Year: Sheffield Shield – 4th, Ryobi Cup – 4th
Squad: Michael Beer, Travis Birt (in-TAS), Mark Cameron (in-NSW), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Liam Davis, Ryan Duffield, Marcus Harris, Michael Hogan, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brad Knowles, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Marcus North, Martin Paskal, Luke Pomersbach, Nathan Rimmington (in-QLD), Wes Robinson, Luke Ronchi, Adam Voges.
Rookies: Tom Beaton, Jason Behrendorff, Matt Dixon, Michael Johnson, Joel Paris
Outs: Matt Johnston (TAS), Ashley Noffke, Brett Dorey (retired), Steve Magoffin, David Bandy, Aaron Heal, Michael Swart, Luke Towers (all de-listed).
Mickey Arthur’s tenure as coach started last season and after a horror start, some signs of improvement were seen in the Warriors. The bowling was an obvious weakness for WA last season and the additions of Cameron and Rimmington should provide a stiffer backbone to the attack. The batting lineup contains the experienced North and Voges, with new boy Travis Birt sure to enjoy the bouncy WACA pitch. Cultural and off-field issues have plagued the WA team in the recent past and with Arthur strongly tipped to become Australian coach before too long, the WACA bigwigs would want to have a good contingency plan in place to prevent the wheels from falling off. The Warriors will look like contenders in both competitions at some stage throughout the year, but it’s doubtful whether they have the depth or consistency to make a final.
Predictions: Sheffield Shield – 4th, Ryobi Cup – 5th.
Expect a Big Year From: Mark Cameron
If he can stay healthy, Cameron will cause nightmares for some visiting batsmen on the typically fast WACA pitch. Widely acknowledged as one of the quickest bowlers getting around, injuries and the emergence of other young quicks limited his opportunities with NSW. The move west seems a good one for the man they call ‘Scud’ and Warriors fans will be hoping he can fire a few missiles this summer.
Thanks to Mark Nolan/Getty Images AsiaPac for use of the image.
