Bevan Loses Contract
Tuesday, April 6 2004
Cricket Australia named its annual list of contracted players today as Michael Bevan and Andy Bichel were the high-profile omissions from the list of 25.
In a surprisingly fresh looking list Shaun Tait - a recent tourist to Sri Lanka - and perennial domestic hero Brad Hodge were offered their first full Cricket Australia contracts.
Tait looms large as the next big thing in Australia fast bowling, with an exciting action and the ability to deliver the ball at express pace gaining the attention on many pundits.
Opening duo Matthew Elliott and Mike Hussey also return to the top flight of Australian cricketers with their selections.
For Elliott, his return to the list signals acknowledgement from the National Selection Panel following a record-breaking Pura Cup summer. The Victorian is one of 5 openers on the 25-man list as well as Hussey, who made his ODI debut for Australia during the recent VB Series.
The most surprising omission from the list is that of Bevan. So often the hero for Australia, the complete finisher and the man with the iron nerves, slowly but surely his game at ODI has deteriorated.
Hampered by persistent shoulder, groin and hamstring problems, the left-hander responsible for so many memorable victories faces uncertainty over his international future. A county stint looms in an attempt to regain confidence and the selectors faith.
Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns, while paying homage to the New South Welshman, acknowledged he would not be going to Zimbabwe as part of the one-day squad.
Bichel, meanwhile, was dumped shortly before the VB Series finals following an indifferent summer of form. After being overlooked for the tour of Sri Lanka and as Brett Lee's replacement the writing was on the wall for the likeable Queenslander.
Domestic teammates Ashley Noffke and Nathan Hauritz were also overlooked following ignominious summers while Nathan bracken's brief honeymoon in the national squad seems over in the immediate future.
Steve Waugh drops off the list following his retirement. Michael Kasprowicz and Simon Katich have been upgraded to full contracts following their elevation to the list late in the summer.
A player outside the 25-man list is still eligible for selection in Australian sides.
The full list is:
Michael Clarke
Matthew Elliott
Adam Gilchrist
Jason Gillespie
Ian Harvey
Matthew Hayden
Brad Hodge
Brad Hogg
Mike Hussey
Michael Kasprowicz
Simon Katich
Justin Langer
Brett Lee
Darren Lehmann
Martin Love
Stuart MacGill
Jimmy Maher
Damien Martyn
Glenn McGrath
Ricky Ponting
Andrew Symonds
Shaun Tait
Shane Warne
Shane Watson
Brad Williams.
Posted by Andre
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