Cricket Victoria has announced the list of men's contracted players for the upcoming 2024-2025 season.
Victoria joins the new campaign with a 28-player team that boasts an exciting mix of local youth and world-class international experience.
The majority of last season's squad remains, led by the quartet of Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Todd Murphy and Scott Borland, who have signed with Cricket Australia.
Hitter Will Pucovski has been offered a playing contract for the 2024-25 season.
“It's understandable that there will be a lot of interest in Will Pucovski and his future. Will and his health and well-being are paramount in this process. Cricket Victoria will work with Cricket Australia to review Will's medical history. “We are working closely with the expert medical committee, which is scheduled to meet soon. We will take their advice on how to proceed appropriately this season,” said Graham, general manager of cricket performance. Manu said.
Some of the other headliners on this year's team include current Bill Lawrie and Dean Jones Medalist Fergus O'Neill. He celebrated his outstanding performance in the 2023/2024 season by recommitting to Cricket Victoria for the next three years.
O'Neill enjoyed a breakout summer in his home state, with the 23-year-old seamer taking a total of 52 wickets in last year's Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup campaigns.
Cricket Victoria also announced the re-signing of bowlers Mitch Perry and Cameron McClure, and all-rounder Will Sutherland, who will captain Victoria for the second consecutive season in the Marsh Sheffield Shield.
Meanwhile, current BBL champion and renowned power hitter Josh Brown will move to Melbourne to strengthen Victoria's batting lineup.
Brown signed a two-year contract with Melbourne Renegades earlier this month.
Harry Dixon (St Kilda), a member of Australia's U19 World Cup winning squad, Richmond pair Riley Mark and Austin Anzurark, Jay Lemire (Carleton) and Tyler Pearson (Kingston Hawthorn) are among the state's elite – Represents the latest wave of Victorian talent progressing through the pathway system. He earned rookie contract honors after an excellent season in Victorian Premier Cricket and the U19 National Championship.
This year's rookie class includes Liam Blackford (Geelong), Dylan Brasher (Footscray) and Douglas Warren (University of Melbourne), who were promoted to full contracts this season as the Victorian pathway system continues to strengthen. ) aims to follow in the footsteps of From strength to strength.
Five players included in last year's contract list will not return in 2024/2025.
Veteran Nick Maddinson returns to Sydney for family reasons. After moving to Melbourne in 2018, the 32-year-old played 37 first-class games over six seasons for Victoria, scoring 2785 points, including 10 centuries.
The other four departing players include Tom O'Donnell, Will Parker, Travis Dean and Matt Fotier.
Victoria will be looking to build on an impressive past three seasons, including back-to-back Sheffield Shield final appearances in 2021 and 2022 and a heartbreaking end to last year's first-class campaign.
Cricket Victoria Head of Men's Cricket David Hussey said he was looking forward to building on the development of the past three seasons.
“I'm happy with the work our team is doing for next season,” Hussey said.
“Although we didn't win the title last season, there were some real positives for us, with Fergus O'Neill emerging as a key player in the team and Will Sutherland and Matt Short joining the Australian squad. Being selected shows that we are doing well.'' A lot of things are right.
“I would like to thank and congratulate Travis Dean for his contribution to Victoria at an elite level.”
“We are also looking forward to welcoming new talent to the team from Premier Cricket and the Australian Under-19s. This is a testament to the achievements made on our talent development path,” Hussey added.
Victorian Men's Contract List 2024/2025
Liam Blackford (Gelong)
Scott Boland* (Frankston Peninsula)
Dylan Brasher (Footscray)
Josh Brown (TBC)
Ashley Chandrasinha (Casey South Melbourne)
Xavier Krone (Carlton)
Sam Elliott (Fitzroy Doncaster)
Peter Handscomb (St Kilda)
Sam Harper (Melbourne)
Marcus Harris (St Kilda)
Campbell Kellaway (Melbourne)
Glenn Maxwell* (Fitzroy Doncaster)
Cameron McClure (Essendon)
Jono Merlot (St Kilda)
Todd Murphy* (St Kilda)
Fergus O'Neill (Melbourne)
Mitch Perry (Richmond)
Will Pucovski** (Melbourne)
Tom Rogers (Ringwood)
Matt Short (Northcote)
Peter Siddle (Dandenong)
Will Sutherland (Prahran)
Douglas Warren (University of Melbourne)
Rookies: Austin Anzherk (Richmond), Harry Dixon (St Kilda), Jay Lemire (Carlton), Riley Mark (Richmond), Tyler Pearson (Kingston Hawthorn)
* indicates Cricket Australia contracted players
** Awaiting medical advice
in: Josh Brown (Queensland)
Newcomer upgraded to full contract:Liam Blackford (Gelong), Dylan Brasher (Footscray), Douglas Warren (University of Melbourne)
Outside:Travis Dean, Matt Fotier, Nick Maddinson, Tom O'Donnell, Will Parker