All righty then, so New South Wales won the Shield last season, so we should move on as quickly as possible, in the hope that Victoria win it in the up coming season. Here are the squads;
http://www.auscricket.com.au/players/ca-state-contracted-playersThe only changes of note are Mark Cosgrove returning to South Australia, with Micheal Klinger moving further west.
On the Rookie lists, Jake Lehmann is listed for the Sozzies, and is the son of Boof.
It's pretty hard to predict a winner for the upcoming season, but as much as it pains me to say it, New South Wales do have the best depth in talent. Batting wise they may seem thin on the ground without their Oz players, but they do have an embarrassment of riches in the bowling department. I always expect Queensland to do well, and I'm sure they will. As for the Vics, batting was the big problem last year, with some England-esque batting collapses.
NSw will pay two home games outside of Sydney, one in the "Steel City" of Newcastle, and the other in that tucked away factory of Australian sporting greatness; Wagga Wagga. Venues for other Sheild matches on during the World Cup are still to be confirmed. Here are the fixtures;
http://www.espncricinfo.com/sheffield-shield-2014-15/content/series/754825.html?template=fixtures My 10 players to watch out for;
1 - Jordan Silk (Tas) - This kid looks the goods and looks set to have a bumper year, as he presses for higher honours.
2 - Cameron White (Vic) - My guess is that bear will make a shed load of runs, and will be over looked all season for a Test re-call.
3 - Glenn Maxwell (Vic) - The Big Show could well have a huge summer, finishing with the World Cup.
4 - Sam Whiteman (WA) - With the retirement of Brad Haddin looming, a group of potential successors would appear to be led by this fella.
5 - Pat Cummins (NSW) - He's going to stay fit all summer and have a bumper season... or not.
6 - Chris Lynn (QLD) - This one is going to be special.
7 - Nathan Coulter_Nile (WA) - The man with three names will have a biggy this summer.
8 - Nic Maddinson (NSW) _ I reckon he's due to take the next step up and become one of the leading players for NSW.
9 - Mitchell Marsh (WA) - This will be his break out season, especially now that he has a fc double under his belt.
10 - Phil Hughes (SA) - Will make a gazillion runs domestically... again.
Should be a cracking summer. Only about 100 sleeps left!
"Hey, doll. Could you scare up another round for our table over here? And tell the cook this is low grade dog food. I've had better food at the ballgame, you know? This steak still has marks from where the jockey was hitting it." Al Czervik, aka Rodney Dangerfield in "Caddyshack" (1980)
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