I do appreciate the standard difference but NSW as a development system produces some very good cricketers. Fifteen players in the squad this season that have played for Australia in One Day or Test Cricket have been produced by the NSW system(played Junior Cricket in NSW).In my eyes Cruickshank is totally unproven in state cricket. If you have to be under 23 then Hughes will be one. Lalor is 24. I would add Tremain as one of the three rookies who is a better seamer than Abbott, van der Gugten or Bills. How does Under 23 team work as Cruickshank and Jacques were playing for them during the season?
Hughes offered a contract on the back of one innings for 2XI? Have NSW not heard on the saying "every dog has its day". Players should only be offered contracts on the back of a continued period of performance or an exceptional innings in the state side e.g. Patterson 100 on debut.
There is a world of difference between state cricket and 2XI cricket and between 2XI cricket and grade cricket. I don't think some of you really appreciate the difference in standard.
Unless the player is a current Test player/very valuable ex Test player or someone on the verge of Test Cricket I would hate to see NSW go after this player. I would have no problems with NSW looking to bring home players such as Tom Cooper or Jackson Bird but everyone has to realise other systems have now given them the oppurtunity and I would imagine they would repay that faith.
In the case of Daniel Hughes I agree entirely but it would seem he has made a contribution at the correct time. He should have had to average two seasons in a row over 50 in grade cricket to represent NSW. But you also have to appreciate that Sydney Grade Cricket has produced 1/3 of all current First Class cricketers in Australia. This would probably be the closest version to First Class Cricket from the Grade competitions around the Country.
Hughes was U23's last season but U24's this season according to a website I looked at. So would have to be a full contract.
Tremain has recieved a full contract.