The cricket season is starting up again, and i thought i'd do a wrap up of the teams this year:
New South Wales Blues:
The blues strength lies in their bowling, withe Stuart Clark, Nathan Bracken, Matt Nicholsen and Stuart MacGill making up the main attack, when Lee and McGrath are on international duties. THey also have the likes of grade young guns Jason Krezja, Aaron Bird and Moises Henriques waiting in the wings so there is definitely no problem there. The batting is certainly a mix - Phil Jacques (averaged 66.16) and Domic Thornley (averaged 62.87) were the prolific run scorers last season with keeper and captain Brad Haddin (Averaged 60.13), but Ed Cowan and James Packman are stars on the rise, along with Crag Simmons from WA. Graham Thorpe is set to koin the team mid season, but that could be good or bad lol
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Pura Cup Prediction: 3rd
ING Cup Prediction: 4th
Queensland Bulls
Queensland with their depth will be the force of the year, with experienced players leading the way for the younger ones. Jimmy Maher, Andew Symonds, James Hopes, Andy Bichel and Michael Kasprowicz will lead the way for the development of Chris Hartley, Mitchell Johnson, Lachlan Stevens and many others. Johnson in particular has caught the selectors eye with raw pace - leading to his selection for the Australia A tour of Pakistan last week, which hid did very well in.
Pura Cup: 1st
ING Cup: 2nd
Western Australia Warriors
When test players are there, the warriors have an awesome batting line up with the like of Hussey, Martyn, Langer, Gilchrist, Rogers, Goodwin etc. but without these guys the one day side in particular looks quite solid, but not extravagent without the flair of those missing. Despite this Rogers and co will be looking to attack oppositions bowling and get on top from the outset. Matthew Inness has joined them from Victoria, and will be included among the fast bowling ranks with Ben Edmonson and giant Steve Magoffin. Beau Casson and Brad Hogg (when available) will lead the way for the spinners. Adam Voges and Luke Ronchi are two one day players that may one day be playing for Australia and they in particular will be looking to develop their skills further. Voges got the fastest domestic one day hundred last year, off just 62 balls
Pura Cup: 2nd
ING Cup: 5th
Victoria Bushrangers
Victoria will come last in both forms of Domestic cricket this season. They have hung on to Brad Hodge, but with him, Warne and White now on national duties and Matt Elliot, Matt Inness and Ian Harvey gone for good, it appears the talent has all but left the Bushrangers. David Hussey and Mick Lewis provide a rare spark but the real talent is gone.
Pura Cup: 6th
ING Cup: 6th
South Australia Redbacks
The Redbacks this year have the experience of Matthew Elliot, Darren Lehman and Greg Blewett to lead the way for the young guns of this team. Middle Order Batsman Callum Ferguson is the brightest prospect in Domestic Cricket this year, along with teammate Dan Cullen and NSW's Phil Jacques. Ferguson scored 733 runes last year at an average of 38.57 in Pura Cup with 2 Hundreds and 4 fifties. Shaun Tait topped the wicket taking list last year, with 64. Dan Cullen was 6th with 43. Depite being awful through half of last year, they turned it on during the latter half and showed they are a force to be reckoned with theis year
Pura Cup: 4th
ING Cup: 1st
Tasmania Tigers
Michael Bevan scored and unbelievable 1464 runs last year @ 97.60 in the Pura Cup, with 8 hundreds in 9 matches. He again will be leading the way, but this year may have some support from the likes of Travis Birt, who averaged 44 in the ING Cup last year, and old timers Dighton, Di Venuto and Marsh. Have some wicket takers in the bowling line up with the likes of Damien Wright, Adam Girffith, Brett Geeves and Xavier Doherty. Hard to see improvement in the 4 dayers, but should be competitive in the 50 over games if Bevan continues his amazing form
Pura Cup: 5th
ING Cup: 3rd
I will be posting tips on this thread when the matches start