Waugh, Slater re-sign

The New South Wales Blues have announced their squad for the upcoming domestic season, with former test batsmen Mark Waugh and Michael Slater to play on for at least another year.

The 17-man outfit also includes pace bowler Matthew Nicholson, who crosses from the Western Warriors, where he has endured an injury-riddled few years since making his sole test appearance against England in December 1998.

However, there was finally no room for former golden boy Corey Richards. Three seasons of indifferent form has seen the talented top-order batsman dumped from the double championship winning team.

Richards, who has a first class average of just 32, has frustrated observers with his inability to consistently perform at first class level.

While he was awarded Australian XI selection in the 1998/99 season, he has failed to capitalise on the many opportunities since handed to him by the Blues' selectors.

Richards may now either nominate for the interstate transfer pool or continue playing locally with his club Bankstown. His chances of regaining a place in the New South Wales team seem more than remote.

Also omitted from last season's squad are recent retiree Shane Lee and young batsman Jarrad Burke.

Fiery paceman Aaron Bird has won his his second rookie contract, while another quick in Mark Cameron was also rewarded with a rookie deal.

NSW SQUAD:
Stephen Waugh (ACB CONTRACT)
Michael Bevan (ACB CONTRACT)
Nathan Bracken (ACB CONTRACT)
Michael Clarke (ACB CONTRACT)
Brett Lee (ACB CONTRACT)
Stuart MacGill (ACB CONTRACT)
Glenn McGrath (ACB CONTRACT)
Doug Bollinger
Shawn Bradstreet
Stuart Clark
Brad Haddin
Phil Jaques
Simon Katich
Grant Lambert
Greg Mail
Paul Maraziotis
Don Nash
Matthew Nicholson
Aaron O'Brien
Matthew Phelps
Nathan Pilon
Michael Slater
Dominic Thornely
Mark Waugh
Aaron Bird (ROOKIE CONTRACT
Mark Cameron (ROOKIE CONTRACT)



Posted by JohnC