Fringe players offered hope

CRICKET Tasmania talent manager Michael Farrell believes the new team added to next summer’s Matador Cup presents an “outstanding opportunity” for fringe Tasmanian players to push their case for higher honours.

Cricket Australia announced on Tuesday it would expand the national one-day competition to seven teams by including a squad of developing players as well as stars who may be returning from injury.

Once each state selects its 15-man squad for the One Day Cup tournament, the CA XI 15player squad will be chosen by state talent managers with input from the national selection panel.

Farrell, who is also the Tigers chairman of selectors, has no doubt the initiative will benefit every state by giving players a chance to shine at the highest level.

“The Matador Cup side is just an outstanding opportunity for all young players,” he said.

“If they get an opportunity they will be playing at the top level and their performances will be judged at the top level.

“It is a big deal for us, but it’s probably a big deal for other states as well because with the game in growth, it will provide a lot of opportunities for a lot of good players around the country.

“I’ve seen what it’s done over the last couple of years with GWS, there just needs to be opportunities for the fringe players.

“It is pretty cut-throat to get a game, the Matador Cup is here and then it’s gone quickly.

“At the start of the season it is vital for many young players to get as many opportunities at the top level as they can.

“There is no doubt the players picked in that side will be players of national interest who have either been identified now or have excellent pre-seasons.”

With a relatively youthful squad going into the 2015-16 season, Tasmania is likely to have several players in the mix.

This includes keeper Tom Triffitt, former Australian under-19 representative Sean Willis, rookie Ben McDermott and local seamers Gabe Bell and Ryan Lees.

CA also announced it would expand the four-day Futures League season from four to six matches, giving more exposure to red ball cricket as players strive to break into the Sheffield Shield.

“We felt last year we had only just got our teeth into the competition and no doubt all the other states feel the same,” Farrell said.

“With a large contract list, the more cricket we can get into the players the better, the more exposure the players get in their push to play for Australia the better.”