Australian all-rounder Daniel Sams has become the latest cricketer to reject a state contract in favour of the global T20 circuit as the New South Wales Blues announce their squad for 2023/24.
Sams, who has represented Australia in 10 T20Is since his international debut in 2020, was a notable absentee from the Blues’ 33-player contract list, which was unveiled on Monday morning.
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The 30-year-old, currently with the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League, joins fellow seamer Kane Richardson in electing to explore T20 franchise opportunities rather than commit to state cricket. Last week, Queensland confirmed T20 World Cup seamer Richardson had been released from the state’s contract list, allowing him to pursue a freelance career.
Sams played five Marsh Cup matches for the Blues last summer, taking three wickets at 57.66. Later this year, he will represent Essex in England’s T20 Blast and the Trent Rockets in The Hundred.
Speaking to reporters on Monday afternoon, newly-appointed NSW Blues coach Greg Shipperd confessed it was becoming “difficult” for state teams to secure the services of white-ball specialists, but emphasised that Sams was still available for selection.
“Both groups arrived at a positive resolution,” Shipperd said.
“Daniel, when he’s in the state, will still be invited to training and participate in our white-ball program.
“The door is never shut for anyone with his talent. We encourage his involvement in our program going forward.
“It’s a juggling act, and we’re open minded and flexible.”
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Meanwhile, Blues spinner Chris Green has earnt a maiden state contract after a breakout summer in the Sheffield Shield, scoring 290 runs at 41.42 and claiming 20 wickets at 23.05 in six appearances.
Branded a T20 specialist for most of his professional career, Green was named the state’s Sheffield Shield Player of the Tournament at last month’s Cricket NSW Awards.
Last week, NSW confirmed the signing of former Test seamer Jackson Bird and head coach Shipperd, who mentored the Blues in an interim role last summer.
Blake Macdonald, Joel Davies and Ross Pawson were the other inclusions on the Blues contract list, with Liam Doddrell and Lachlan Hearne missing out.
“With the additions of Jackson and Chris we get some experience from guys with well-documented credentials,” CNSW Chief of Cricket Performance Greg Mail said in a statement.
“Both Blake and Ross have deserved their contracts through sheer weight of runs and wickets at Premier Cricket and second Xl level. Their contracts show that when players consistently perform at that level, we will look at those performances positively.
“Joel Davies is a very talented young player with a high ceiling in the game. He is a genuine all-rounder who is also a brilliant fielder and leader and someone we are very excited to see develop further.
“Liam Doddrell was unlucky to miss out under the new rookie contracting structure and remains part of our plans in NSW going forward.
“We will look to provide Liam with opportunities to continue to develop his cricket.”
NSW BLUES 2023-24 SQUAD
National contract: Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Adam Zampa
State contract: Jackson Bird, Oliver Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hackney, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Moises Henriques, Baxter Holt, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Blake Macdonald, Blake Nikitaras, Kurtis Patterson, Ross Pawson, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain
Rookie contract: Joel Davies, Jack Nisbet, Will Salzmann, Lachlan Shaw, Hunar Verma
