Domestic cricket: State by state guide to all the key signings, player contract news for 2024-25

State associations are close to finalising their recruitment and contract plans for 2024-25 - with some locking in their squads. CODE SPORTS’ cricket experts reveal how each state is placed.

Cricket Australia has locked in its 23-strong group of contracted male players, now those on the domestic circuit are scrambling to shore up their futures.

Shifting states was once considered a cardinal sin but that era ended long ago.

Cricketers now routinely move around the country in search of greater opportunities, a fresh start, financial security or what they regard as the best springboard to a national call-up.

As the April 26 contract deadline draws nearer, with state associations working feverishly to finalise their squads, here is everything we know about each state.

NSW

2023-24 result: 3rd (Sheffield Shield), 2nd (one-day cup)

Coach: Greg Shipperd

The inside word: The signing of Josh Philippe is a boon, while Nic Maddinson’s return to his home state had been bubbling away for weeks. Questions have been hovering over the future of out-of-contract Kurtis Patterson, the former NSW captain and Test batter, and veteran opener Daniel Hughes. Both are now staying. Jason Sangha is on the move to SA as the Blues again reshuffle their batting order, which was once a production line of Test talent. Ross Pawson, Hunar Verma and Blake Macdonald have lost their contracts. Sam Konstas has been given a full contract, while fellow young guns Ryan Hicks and Charlie Anderson have rookie deals. Western Suburbs leg-spinner Tom Brooks is eyeing a move to Melbourne as he tries to break into first-class cricket.

SQUAD: Sean Abbott (Cricket Australia contract), Charlie Anderson (rookie), Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins (CA), Joel Davies (rookie), Oliver Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hackney, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Josh Hazlewood (CA), Moises Henriques, Ryan Hicks (rookie), Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Sam Konstas, Nathan Lyon (CA), Nic Maddinson, Blake Nikitaras, Jack Nisbet, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Will Salzmann (rookie), Tanveer Sangha, Lachlan Shaw (rookie), Steve Smith (CA), Mitchell Starc (CA), Chris Tremain, Adam Zampa (CA)

Nic Maddinson debuted for NSW in 2010 then was dumped from the state squad in 2018. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

QUEENSLAND

2023-24 result: 6th (Sheffield Shield), 5th (one-day cup)

Coach: TBC

The inside word: Former Test opener Joe Burns was not offered a new deal. Matt Kuhnemann, who snared 5-16 while helping spin Australia to a Test win over India a year ago, will join Tasmania after failing to play a single Shield game this summer. Young guns Callum Vidler and Lachlan Aitken have received new deals, as has Ipswich bowler Jem Ryan. Young NSW quick Tom Straker has also joined the Bulls. The most important signing might be axed coach Wade Seccombe’s successor. The early mail suggests Ashley Noffke is the frontrunner.

SQUAD: Lachlan Aitken (rookie), Xavier Bartlett (CA contract), Max Bryant, Hugo Burdon, Jack Clayton, Liam Guthrie, Lachlan Hearne, Usman Khawaja (CA), Marnus Labuschagne (CA), Angus Lovell, Ben McDermott, Michael Neser, Jimmy Pierson, Matthew Renshaw, Jem Ryan (rookie), Gurinder Sandhu, Jack Sinfield, Mark Steketee, Tom Straker (rookie), Connor Sully, Mitch Swepson, Bryce Street, Callum Vidler, Hugh Weibgen, Tom Whitney (rookie), Jack Wildermuth

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

2023-24 result: 5th (Sheffield Shield), 6th (one-day cup)

Coach: TBC

The inside word: Last year it was Jake Fraser-McGurk. Now SA has nabbed another of Victoria’s young talents, Mackenzie Harvey. The former Australia under-19 captain has signed a two-year deal and the signs are promising he is ready to reboot a career of much promise. Jason Sangha adds further batting depth. Jake Carder, Isaac Higgins and Kelvin Smith have been delisted, while injury-riddled paceman David Grant has stepped away from the game. The SACA explored bringing in an overseas recruit, such as ex-South African captain Dean Elgar, but it will not eventuate. A move for Jake Weatherald back to SA was explored but he is staying in Tassie.

Dean Elgar won’t be playing for South Australia this summer. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

TASMANIA

2023-24 result: 2nd (Sheffield Shield), 4th (one-day cup)

Coach: Jeff Vaughan

The inside word: Matt Kuhnemann was this week finally confirmed as the highest-profile signing, while Queensland paceman Will Prestwidge will also make the move from Brisbane to Hobart. Matthew Wade has announced his retirement from Shield cricket, while Jake Doran will stay given Philippe is bound for NSW rather than Tassie, where he was also linked. Jake Weatherald explored a move to Victoria or SA but will be held to his deal.

Matthew Wade leaves a major void at the Tigers. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

VICTORIA

2023-24 result: 4th (Sheffield Shield), 3rd (one-day cup)

Coach: Chris Rogers

The inside word: Will Pucovski is out of contract and it’s possible may never play cricket again, while Nic Maddinson is moving back to NSW. Travis Dean is set to finish while and fellow Footscray Bulldog Dylan Brasher is ticketed for a full contract, as is spinner Doug Warren. Young quickies Tyler Pearson and Austin Anlezark are set to land rookie contracts, as is Australian U19 opener Harry Dixon and Carlton premiership wicketkeeper-batter Jai Lemire. Mature-age quick Matt Fotia will be delisted. With Weatherald staying in Tasmania, Victoria is now eyeing Brisbane Heat blaster Josh Brown. The Vics have been given an extension to announce their full list pending a medical decision on Pucovski.

EPIC 🔥

Brody Couch was on fire in the field last night! pic.twitter.com/dIKkZbHMYN

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) December 13, 2022

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

2023-24 result: 1st (Sheffield Shield), 1st (one-day cup)

Coach: Adam Voges

The inside word: The dominant force in domestic cricket has lost Josh Philippe, who had been linked with a move to the east coast for years. Josh Inglis remains on their books, but Sydney Thunder and NSW gloveman Baxter Holt has joined Adam Voges’ squad, as has paceman Brody Crouch, who hasn’t played for Victoria since 2022, is also on their radar. Marcus Stoinis and Ashton Agar have both lost their Cricket Australia contracts and will go freelance, as will Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye.

SQUAD: Cameron Bancroft, Mahli Beardman (rookie), Hilton Cartwright, Cooper Connolly, Brody Couch, Keaton Critchell, Sam Fanning, Cameron Gannon, Cameron Green (CA contract), Sam Greer (rookie) Jayden Goodwin, Aaron Hardie (CA), Liam Haskett, Baxter Holt, Josh Inglis (CA), Bryce Jackson, Matthew Kelly, Mitchell Marsh (CA), Lance Morris (CA), Hamish McKenzie, Joel Paris, Corey Rocchiccioli, D’Arcy Short, Charlie Stobo, Ashton Turner, Josh Vernon (rookie), Corey Wasley (rookie), Sam Whiteman, Teague Wyllie

Originally published as Domestic cricket: State by state guide to all the key signings, player contract news for 2024-25