A host of new local faces have been called into Justin Langers' Western Warriors squad for the 2016-17 summer
Warriors invest in local talent
Western Australia have added eight players from local club cricket to the Alcohol. Think Again Warriors' contracted list for the 2016-17 season.
Left-arm paceman Ryan Duffield returns to the setup after a year away from the Warriors, while former Tasmania batsman Jonathan Wells has been offered a contract after playing two Sheffield Shield matches last season.
Duffield was rewarded for an outstanding WA Premier Cricket season where he snared 40 wickets at 14.28 for Perth Cricket Club, while seamer Josh Nicholas has also been rewarded with a contract, also having played two Shield matches in the Warriors' 2015-16 campaign, where they finished fifth on the Sheffield Shield table.
Quick single: Bulls invest in youth for charge into the future
Promising young paceman Jhye Richardson has been upgraded from a rookie contract, having made his Matador Cup and Sheffield Shield debuts last season, while rookie leg-spinner Liam O’Connor was also promoted.
WA have lost batsman Marcus Harris to Victoria, experienced paceman Michael Hogan to retirement and former Cricket Australia contracted spearhead Mitchell Johnson who is no longer playing.
Batting trio Tom Beaton, Jaron Morgan and Nick Hobson have not been offered contracts, while WA had already bid farewell to opener Marcus Harris, who has joined the Victoria Bushrangers, and Matt Dixon, who has moved to England county team Essex."We are very happy with the 2016-17 squad which continues to balance senior experience with some of the most talented young players in Australia,” WACA General Manager High Performance Ben Oliver said.
"They are all great people and we are excited about the potential for this group to achieve success on and off the field over the coming years.
"We saw a snapshot of this success last season with eight players selected for Australia and four being awarded Cricket Australia contracts for 2016-17.
"It is fantastic that we have been able to reward Ryan Duffield, Josh Nicholas and Jon Wells for their strong Premier Cricket performances last season."
Quick single: Boof puts Dizzy in the mix for coach role
Western Australia have added five rookies to their ranks – former Australia under-19 players Jake Carder and Matt Kelly, paceman Alex Bevilaqua, allrounder Cameron Green and former AFL draft hopeful Clint Hinchliffe.
Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis and Kyle Gardiner retained their places on the rookie list.
WA 2016-17 CONTRACTS
State: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Will Bosisto, Jake Carder, Hilton Cartwright, Ryan Duffield, Michael Klinger, Simon Mackin, David Moody, Josh Nicholas, Liam O’Connor, Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Rimmington, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Jonathan Wells, Sam Whiteman.
Cricket Australia: Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Adam Voges.
Rookie: Alex Bevilaqua, Kyle Gardiner, Cameron Green, Clint Hinchliffe, Josh Inglis, Matt Kelly.