In-form batsman Conor McInerney joins Redbacks for one-day finals campaign
CONOR McInerney has been rewarded for a blistering start to the season by being added to the Redbacks JLT One-Day Cup finals squad.
- Ferguson ton saves Redbacks, sets new mark
- Ahmed poised for stunning international return
- Watch: Short blasts record sixes in ridiculous double ton
CONOR McInerney has been rewarded for a blistering start to the season by being added to the Redbacks JLT One-Day Cup finals squad.
The left-handed, top-order batsman has replaced Alex Ross in the 14-man squad which will contest a qualifying final in Sydney this week.
McInerney, who played two Sheffield Shield matches last season and was a joint winner of the Bradman Medal as SACA Premier Cricket’s best player with fellow batsman Kelvin Smith, flew to Sydney on Monday to link up with the squad.
McInerney, 24, has dominated the local Redbacks League pre-season competition, scoring 363 runs for the Northern Mavericks at an average of 90.75, including two centuries.
He made 143 off 144 balls against the Western Grit at the new Karen Rolton Oval on Sunday before being put on a plane to Sydney.
With all-rounder Cameron Valente declared fit after missing Sunday’s eight-run win against Victoria with a minor quad strain, left-arm quick Nick Winter also drops out of the squad.
Pacemen Daniel Worrall and Spencer Johnson have been ruled out for the rest of the tournament with back injuries.
Veteran Redback Callum Ferguson, who against Victoria became the first player to make eight centuries for SA in one-day cricket, believes the Redbacks can win the JLT Cup, despite winning only two of their five round-robin matches.
“We haven’t played our best cricket yet but we showed some promising signs against Victoria and think that if we can put it all together we can go all the way,’’ he told The Advertiser.
“After beating New South Wales early (in round one) we haven’t been able to put 100 overs together (with bat and ball).
“We were pretty close to that against Victoria — we needed that win — and we now take some momentum into the finals.
“We know our best is good enough.’’
Ferguson praised the contributions of debutant medium-pacer Luke Robins (1/48 off nine overs) and left-arm orthodox spinner Tom Andrews (0/44 off eight) against the Vics in their first matches for the tournament.
“I was really pleased for Luke because he is such a great trier,’’ he said.
“When he’s running into bowl at you in the nets and in trial games you just know he is giving it everything and against Victoria he was no different.
“To see him come in and stick to his game plan so well was really pleasing and I thought Andrews in his first game back did a fantastic job as well.’’
Redbacks finals squad: Jake Lehmann (c), Tom Andrews, Alex Carey, Tom Cooper, Callum Ferguson, Conor McInerney, Joe Mennie, Harry Nielsen, Luke Robins, Kane Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Adam Zampa.
Get ready for cricket like never before. FREE Sport HD + Entertainment until the first 4K cricket ball as part of 2 months free with no lock-in contract. SIGN UP TODAY. T&Cs apply.