Former New South Wales Blues opening batsman and one-time Test player Nic Maddinson has earnt a reprieve, being named in Victoria’s squad for the JLT one-day cup.
Starting this Sunday, Victoria have picked up the discarded top order batsmen after he failed to pick up a state-based contract in New South Wales this season.
After being dropped by the Blues, no other state came to the party, although the Victorian authorities have stated they didn’t find out about the ditching early enough to offer Maddinson a contract.
However, being added to the one-day squad could give Maddinson a chance to push for his playing future.
Maddinson once played three Tests for Australia during the 2016-17 summer, while he has also played six T20 international games for the nation, never quite fulfilling the potential he has been tipped to have by many.
Maddinson has been included in a 14-man squad which will be led by Peter Handscomb, with Glenn Maxwell, Scott Boland, Cameron White and Chris Tremain also all appearing in a side which is destined to be favourites for the tournament.
Victorian squad for JLT one-day cup
Peter Handscomb, Scott Boland, Jackson Coleman, Travis Dean, Sebastian Gotch, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Tom O’Connell, Matt Short, Will Sutherland, Chris Tremain, Cameron White
Queensland have also named their squad, with Chris Lynn set to make his return to list-A cricket as captain of the side.
Lynn will be joined by discarded Australian Test batsman Joe Burns, as well as a strong bowling attack of Mark Steketee, Billy Stanlake and Mitch Swepson.
Queensland squad
Chris Lynn (c), Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Luke Feldman, Sam Heazlett, Charlie Hemphrey, Lachy Pfeffer, Jack Prestwidge, Billy Stanlake, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Sam Truloff, Jack Wildermuth
Other squads named today include South Australia and Tasmania.
South Australia
The Redbacks have elevated Jake Lehmann to captain, with a strong squad set to feature names like Alex Carey, Callum Ferguson, Kane Richardson and Chadd Sayers.
Jake Lehmann (c), Alex Carey, Tom Cooper, Callum Ferguson, Spencer Johnson, Joe Mennie, Harry Nielsen, Kane Richardson, Alex Ross, Chadd Sayers, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa
Tasmania
George Bailey once again leads Tasmania. Youngster Jake Doran will get a run, as will Jordan Sink and Matthew Wade in the batting order, while James Faulkner and Jackson Bird are also featured.
George Bailey (c), Jackson Bird, Nicholas Buchanan, Jake Doran, James Faulkner, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Simon Milenko, Tom Rogers, Clive Rose, Jordan Silk, Aaron Summers, Matthew Wade, Beau Webster
mrrexdog
Roar Guru
This series could determine who keeps during the World Cup. It’ll probably be between Handscomb, Wade and Carey or possibly McDermott. But Ahmed not getting picked for Victoria is ludicrous, he’s good enough for the odi team
BurgyGreen
Guest
For me: TAS - McDermott NSW - Patterson WA - Paris VIC - Maxwell SA - Ferguson QLD - Burns
BurgyGreen
Guest
Ahmed didn't get a contract, which is insane. They've replaced him with a flavour-of-the-month teenage leggie.
Ray87
Guest
My "player I hope goes well" for each state: Kurtis Patterson - NSW Billy Stanlake - QLD Alex Carey - SA Jake Doran - TAS Chris Tremain - VIC Marcus Stoinis - WA
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I do wonder if his Dad no longer being Australian Coach (and one of the selectors) could almost make things a bit easier in his head. There's always that confusion there thinking about higher honours when one of the people in charge of picking those players is his dad. Now that's taken out of the equation, he can almost feel just like any other player, doesn't matter who his dad is any more than anyone else, and he can just let his performances do the talking. Doran is still a really young player. He had a bit of a breakout year last-year, with a lot more consistency, but still needs to learn to turn those scores into big ones. I think it's probably just good for him to focus on his batting. Bailey is probably the perfect captain for him. Someone like Bailey who seems a good leader, and is now likely past any chance of an international recall, meaning he should be a constant all season, should be good for the young Tassie players.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
While BBL is separate, the "state contracts" generally cover the shield and ODI stuff, rather than having separate contracts for them like they have with the BBL. NSW decided not to offer Maddinson a contract, by which state Vic had already put out their state contract list for the year. But they offered him an olive branch. Without a full contract he can still be selected to play games, just like someone outside the CA central contracts list can still be picked to represent Australia. He was always likely to get a game in the 50-over format. While he's gone missing too much and NSW just decided it was time to give some youth a go and rejuvinate the team rather than keep waiting for the liked of Maddinson to come good, he's been a pretty consistent 50-over batsman for the last few seasons. So I'm sure he will be a good pickup there for Vic. I suspect if Vic hadn't approached him he would still have had a good chance of playing 50-over cricket for NSW even without a state contract. But I think Vic basically told him that while they can't offer him a state contract, as they are already set, he can join their set up and have every chance of breaking into the Shield team if he's able to perform.
Paul
Roar Guru
Maddinson aside, it's great SA has given Lehmann the captaincy. I'd love to see him have a breakout year and push his claims to play for Australia. I'm also wondering whether Tassie could hand the captaincy to someone like Doran or Bird, but keep Bailey and Wade in the side for guidance? The extra responsibility might help Doran's game and it would certainly help Birds CV, especially if Tassie does well in this tournament.
AREH
Roar Guru
EDIT: Just re-read the top; hasn't actually got a Vic contract. My bad
AREH
Roar Guru
I must've missed the time when Vic signed him up; didn't even realise - I thought he was just picked up by the Melb Stars in the BBL Interesting...could be a very handy addition
Klaus Nannestad
Roar Guru
Is he likely to open, or will Dean and Harris continue at the top of the order? Either way, he, Maxwell and White give Victoria some nice firepower.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Maddinson wasn't offered any contract at all at NSW? Are you kidding? Strong Vic batting order:s 1. Harris 2. Maddinson 3. White 4. Handscomb 5. Maxwell 6. Dean No Ahmed?