Jon Wells, Steve O’Keefe, Adam Zampa‘s omissions show something must change for Sheffield Shield to thrive
Middle order batsman Jon Wells had a brilliant BBL09 season for the Adelaide Strikers, and one leading cricket agent says it’s staggering he isn’t playing in the Sheffield Shield competition.
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Steve O’Keefe’s New South Wales demise highlights the need for a review of Australia’s first-class system post COVID-19.
Former Test tweaker O’Keefe, 35, won’t be offered a 2020-21 state deal by NSW despite being a contender for Australia’s scheduled mid-year Test tour of Bangladesh.
A leading cricket agent contacted by The Advertiser cited Adam Zampa’s lack of first-class opportunity with South Australia and O’Keefe’s slide to the red ball scrap heap as evidence change is required.
The Advertiser in February revealed leg-spinner Zampa would choose between a Blues homecoming or Victoria move in a bid to ignite Test credentials.
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“Why isn’t O’Keefe playing first class cricket? How can we run an industry where one of the best left-arm orthodox spinners in the country doesn’t play anymore?,” the agent said.
“Zampa is one of the best players in the country. He should be playing.
“Why isn’t Jon Wells playing state cricket?
“He is a better player now than he was two years ago.”
When Queensland became the Shield’s fifth team in 1947, Australia’s population was 7.6 million.
Australia’s population is now 25 million, but its state cricket nursery has six teams which contrasts with AFL’s 18.
O’Keefe will finish his career in the BBL with Sydney Sixers.
His 16 wickets at 22 was the best return of any Shield spinner this season, while the veteran retires with 224 wickets at an average of 25.
“I was disappointed when I was told that I wasn’t getting a contract but I respect and accept the decision, so I have decided to retire from first-class cricket,” said nine-Test left-arm spinner O’Keefe.
Of the 19 spinners to take 200 or more Shield wickets, O’Keefe has the best bowling average since spinner Ashley Mallett retired in 1981.
The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing sports to self evaluate and embrace innovation.
Cricket could recalibrate a structure that suppresses contract opportunity compared to AFL’s 836 list positions.
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“There are only 150 cricket players contracted and it is a national sport. They need to do something about the underbelly, grow the game and get more kids playing,” said one player agent.
An eight-team first-class competition could align with the BBL.
Regions including Canberra would have a strong case for inclusion, producing a plethora of talent including Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon and Redbacks paceman Nick Winter.
Many Shield teams already have 30 or 40 per cent of players from interstate.
Before big picture reform is considered, players and Cricket Australia face a new contract round overshadowed by COVID-19 uncertainty.
The MOU between players and CA dictates contracts are to be finalised by April 30.
It’s understood Redbacks duo Callum Ferguson and Tom Cooper will avoid O’Keefe’s fate, but COVID-19 could delay CA/state list offers until May.
Many players want contracts finalised as per usual, then amended in the advent fixtures are cancelled and pay cuts required this summer and not vice-versa.
There is a fear that new contracts will be front-ended meaning significant losses for players on modest wages if pay cuts are implemented in 2020-21.
A six-month lockdown could allow domestic fixtures to start in spring.
The BBL is CA’s key money spinner, which starts in December.