It never takes long. One week after the domestic trophies were packed away, attention has already swung to next summer, and each state has now lodged its men’s and women’s lists with Cricket Australia. The moves are not earth-shattering, yet there’s enough shuffling to keep selection meetings lively between now and October.
Key points first: Jake Weatherald is back in Adelaide colours, Usman Khawaja has taken the pad-off for the last time, and New South Wales are starting over behind the stumps after Matt Gilkes’ switch south. Below, a quick walk-through of the notable ins, outs and the full squads as they stand today.
Note: CA denotes a national contract, R a rookie deal.
NEW SOUTH WALES
Men
Brad Haddin’s first winter in charge looks tidy rather than dramatic. Losing Gilkes stings, but it does create a vacancy for a younger keeper. Bryce Jackson, squeezed out in Perth, should offer handy new-ball overs, and former U-19 batter Harjas Singh has a rookie spot.
Squad
Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins (CA), Ollie Davies, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Josh Hazlewood (CA), Bryce Jackson, Riley Kingsell, Sam Konstas, Nathan Lyon (CA), Nic Maddinson, Jack Nisbet, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Will Salzmann, Tanveer Sangha, Charlie Stobo, Steven Smith (CA), Mitchell Starc (CA), Adam Zampa (CA) plus rookies Charlie Anderson, Jake Scott, Harjas Singh and keeper-bat Lachlan Shaw.
In: Bryce Jackson (WA), Harjas Singh (rookie)
Out: Matt Gilkes (SA), Blake Nikitaras (to QLD as an uncontracted player), Chris Tremain (retired)
Women
NSW must replace Alyssa Healy’s runs and leadership after her retirement. Emma Manix-Geeves, sharp behind the stumps for Tasmania last season, comes in. Georgia Adams’ availability is still parked while Hampshire sort out their own calendar.
Squad
Samantha Bates, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Lauren Cheatle, Sarah Coyte, Hannah Darlington, Sienna Eve, Ashleigh Gardner (CA), Phoebe Litchfield (CA), Katie Mack, Emma Manix-Geeves, Claire Moore, Frankie Nicklin, Ellyse Perry (CA), Tahlia Wilson and rookies Caoimhe Bray, Lucy Finn, Tara French, Elsa Hunter, Anika Learoyd.
In: Emma Manix-Geeves (TAS)
Out: Alyssa Healy (retired), Jade Allen, Kate Pelle
TBC: Georgia Adams (Hampshire)
QUEENSLAND
Men
The Bulls’ issue last year was seam depth; Cameron Gannon returns from the west to plug that gap. Gurinder Sandhu, Max Bryant and Zanden Jeh make way, while a cluster of rookies – Tom Campbell among them – earn first contracts. Usman Khawaja bows out with 9,632 first-class runs for Queensland.
Squad
Xavier Bartlett (CA), Jack Clayton, Cameron Gannon, Hayden Kerr, Marnus Labuschagne (CA), Michael Neser (CA), Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Callum Vidler, Hugh Weibgen, Tom Whitney, Jack Wildermuth plus listed players Tom Balkin, Hugo Burdon, Lachlan Hearne, Angus Lovell, Dylan McLachlan, Jem Ryan, Jack Sinfield and rookies Tom Campbell, Steven Hogan, Charlie Lachmund, Oli Patterson.
In: Cameron Gannon (WA), Dylan McLachlan, Oli Patterson, Steven Hogan, Tom Campbell, Charlie Lachmund
Out: Gurinder Sandhu, Zanden Jeh, Benji Floros, Max Bryant, Lachy Aitken, Usman Khawaja (retired)
Women
Laura Harris, a fixture for over a decade, falls off the list after limited WNCL time. Ruby Strange moves to Western Australia.
Current group: Lily Bassingthwaighte, Bonnie Berry, Lucy Bourke, plus the senior core (full women’s list to be confirmed – Queensland were still finalising names at the time of writing).
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Men
The headline for the Redbacks is the return of opener Jake Weatherald after two seasons with the Scorchers. Matt Gilkes adds keeping depth, while Wes Agar departs for Victoria.
(Full SA list expected later this week; the club has only confirmed the major transfers.)
Women
No formal changes announced yet; coach Luke Williams hinted minor tweaks only.
TASMANIA
Men & Women
Aside from losing Manix-Geeves, the Tigers’ lists remain steady. A couple of rookies will be unveiled once grade finals wrap up.
VICTORIA
Men
Wes Agar crosses from Adelaide, looking to revive his red-ball fortunes on quicker MCG pitches. Otherwise, contracts are status quo.
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Analysis – nothing seismic, but a few themes worth tracking
1. Veteran exits
Khawaja and Healy stepping away removes two sizeable dressing-room voices. How quickly their successors find their own method could shape NSW’s and Queensland’s early rounds.
2. Fast-bowling rotation
Gannon to Queensland and Jackson to NSW are straightforward depth signings, yet both attacks were over-worked last year. If each can deliver 15-good-overs-a-day, selectors will feel vindicated.
3. Youth promotions
Every squad carries at least three rookies. Some, like Tom Campbell or Harjas Singh, may not debut immediately, but state coaches are clearly aligning with CA’s push to refresh lists before the next World Test Championship cycle.
4. The overseas puzzle
Georgia Adams’ situation underlines the crowded women’s calendar. More dual-hemisphere deals are likely, so fans should expect a little churn right up to the first WNCL round.
We’ll keep the lens on any late additions or injury replacements as pre-season nets crank up in July. For now, the whiteboards are inked, warm-up schedules are booked, and the countdown to another long Australian summer has already begun.
