Former Test star finalises move south as Tigers release a pair of dynamic all-rounders

A Sheffield Shield regular who scored his maiden Sheffield Shield century in December and a rising local female talent are among the casualties as Cricket Tasmania announces delistings.

After 14 seasons with Victoria, Peter Siddle will finish his first class career in Tasmania (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

AUSTRALIAN cricket’s worst kept secret has been confirmed with former Australian quick Peter Siddle officially moving south to finish his first-class career.

Siddle, who retired from international cricket last summer having taken 221 wickets in 61 Tests, has officially joined Tasmania after 14 seasons with Victoria.

Matthew Wade (left) and Peter Siddle are now state teammates. (Photo by James Elsby/Getty Images)

All-rounders James Faulkner and Simon Milenko are the biggest name casualties from the Tigers contract list, which also includes former national one-day bowler Gurinder Sandhu.

Faulkner — who has battled ongoing knee problems for the past few seasons — is likely to remain in the frame for one day cricket for Tasmania but will start the 2020-21 season without a contract.

Former Australian white ball star James Faulkner has been overlooked for a Tasmanian contract / AFP PHOTO / ARUN SANKAR / GETTYOUT

Milenko has been a regular in the Tigers Sheffield Shield team since moving from Queensland four year ago but has also been squeezed out.

The 31-year-old scored his maiden Shield century in the final round before the BBL last December, and averages 27.1 with the bat and 30.7 with the ball in 29 domestic matches.

Simon Milenko celebrates his maiden Sheffield Shield century against South Australia in December. Milenko has also not been offered a first round contract. LEIGH WINBURN

Sean Willis and Alex Bevilaqua have also been delisted, while George Bailey retired following the completion of the Big Bash.

“The most pleasing thing about our squad list heading into the coming season is continuity within the squad,” Tigers coach Adam Griffith said.

“We have an excellent core group of senior players who lead the team very well, however the excitement now comes from the younger players who have been in the program for a number of years and showed at the end of last season they are ready to take this group forward and have greatly improved the depth of the squad.”

Two positions remain to be filled on the men’s list, which will be released in the coming days.

There has also been a shake-up on the women’s list,

Talented youngster Erin Fazackerley has missed a Tigers contract. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

with young gun Erin Fazackerley headlining four axings.

Fazackerley, a hard hitting opener and tall seamer, was picked for the Governor-General’s XI three years ago but has struggled with inconsistency in both the WNCL and WBBL competitions despite her immense talent.

Katelyn Fryett is another omission.

Another regular in the women’s set-up, Katelyn Fryett, has also lost her contract, alongside

Stefanie Daffara and Emma Manix-Geeves.

Like the men’s list, there are two open spots in the women’s program.