IT is almost time to kick off the 2022/23 season of the Marsh One-Day Cup, with the first game scheduled for September 23. Fresh off a thrilling final in March, the competition is set for another cracking campaign, as each state’s best cricket talents battle it out in the 50-over format.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be taking a look at each side’s prospects for the season, and next up are the South Australia Redbacks, who will be looking to improve on a disappointing campaign last year that saw them nab just one win.

South Australia Redbacks
2021/22 record – 1-4-1

The Redbacks simply could not get going last season, and will be hopeful of some form of improvement when their campaign kicks off against the Queensland Bulls on the 26th of September.

With their sole win coming in their second outing of the season, the Redbacks will be eager to recapture that form and build a more consistent campaign in the coming months. The triumph came against the Bulls, with South Australia posting the highest score of any side in the 2021/22 by a considerable margin. The Redbacks notched 391 runs, on the back of Travis Head‘s whopping 230, as they claimed their first victory in 18 months.

While it ended as their last win of the season, it was a positive sign for South Australia, and they will be looking to find ways to replicate that effort.

Economy with ball in hand will be a major point of emphasis for the Redbacks this season, with the side giving up far too many runs last time around, and it cost them big time. In four of their six games last season, South Australia conceded over 250 runs, putting an extreme amount of pressure on their batting lineup.

While their batsmen were able to reach the 200-mark on almost every occasion, it was not enough as their bowlers conceded far too much on the scoreboard. A promising move in the offseason saw the Redbacks add fast bowlers Harry Conway who made the move from New South Wales and Henry Thornton, who is fresh off a strong finish to the BBL season with the Adelaide Strikers. Known for pitching the ball up and being able to generate plenty of bounce, Thornton should be a welcome addition to the bowling lineup.

South Australia contract list

Wes Agar
Jordan Buckingham
Kyle Brazell (rookie)
Aiden Cahill (rookie)
Alex Carey (Cricket Australia contract)
Bailey Capel (rookie)
Jake Carder
Harry Conway
Brendan Doggett
Daniel Drew
David Grant
Travis Head (Cricket Australia contract)
Isaac Higgins (rookie)
Henry Hunt
Spencer Johnson
Thomas Kelly
Ryan King (rookie)
Jake Lehmann
Nathan McAndrew
Nathan McSweeney
Ben Manenti
Harry Mathias (rookie)
Harry Nielsen
Lloyd Pope
Liam Scott
Henry Thornton
Jake Weatherald
Nick Winter