Former South Australian cricketer Cullen Bailey considers taking on Sam Duluk in Waite for Liberals

A former SA sports star could be the Liberal candidate to run against independent MP Sam Duluk in the blue-ribbon seat of Waite.

Former South Australian cricketer Cullen Bailey is considering standing for the Liberals in the blue-ribbon seat of Waite, taking on one-time party rising star Sam Duluk.

A leg spinner once touted as a successor to Shane Warne, Mr Bailey is an executive for Naval Group Australia, which on September 16 was axed as the builder of 12 future submarines in favour of nuclear-powered vessels.

After playing 31 first-class games, Mr Bailey’s roles included SA Health’s media director and chief of staff to state Liberal Environment and Water Minister David Speirs.

Former Young Liberals state president Mr Duluk will contest next March’s state election as an independent, having ditched the party on September 9 after being acquitted on August 24 of assaulting SA Best MP Connie Bonaros at a boozy 2019 parliamentary Christmas party.

Cricketer Shane Warne (r) with Cullen Bailey at training nets at Adelaide Oval in October, 2006.

Mr Bailey, who took 79 first-class wickets for SA and played 11 matches for Australia A, was awarded a Cricket Australia contract in May, 2007 – four months after Warne’s retirement.

Mr Bailey’s childhood home was at Coromandel Valley, at Waite’s southern tip, and he now lives at Glenalta, in the heart of the southeastern Adelaide electorate.

“I grew up in the area, live there now and have a longstanding interest in public service and the community,” Mr Bailey said.

“I’m discussing with my family and fellow branch members before I decide whether to nominate.”

Mr Bailey and his wife have helped set up a Uniting Church in Waite. Within Liberal factions, he would be considered a conservative.

The Liberals opened nominations for Waite preselection on September 17, shortly after Mr Duluk confirmed he would not seek to return to the party. They will close on October 5, ahead of a ballot on November 6.

Cullen Bailey in action at Adelaide Oval.

Waite has been previously held by former state Liberal leader Martin Hamilton-Smith and former Liberal deputy premier Stephen Baker.

Potential Liberal candidates being touted by party powerbrokers include former Law Council of Australia president Morry Bailes, who in February last year lost a Senate preselection contest to Andrew McLachlan, and Leah Blyth, who lost an endorsement bid for Boothby in May.

Other potential contenders include Mitcham councillor Adriana Christopoulos, Liberal staffer Zane Basic and former party vice-president Cara Miller.

Mr Duluk said he was not commenting publicly on the Liberal preselection.