Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey
The 2024/25 season of the Sheffield Shield is important in more ways than one. There is a massive five-match series against India on the horizon, with the potential for a spot or two to open up should the opportunity arise. Also, most of the Australian Test team is aged 30 years and over, so now is the time for those waiting in the wings to stake a strong claim to become the successors.
With the season kicking off on Tuesday October 8, here is a look at 10 players to keep an eye out for this campaign. There is a mix of established players as well as up-and-comers with an eye to both this summer and the future.
2024/25 Sheffield Shield: Players to watch
Nathan McSweeney (South Australia)
It’s a big season for Nathan McSweeney with spots to open up in Australia’s middle order in the coming years. McSweeney is a patient and technically correct batsman, whose style mirrors that of Marnus Labuschagne.
Last season, McSweeney hit the fourth-most runs in the competition (762) at an average of 40.10 with three hundreds and three fifties in 10 innings. However, the 25-year-old’s first class average remains underwhelming at 33.86 after 30 matches, so this is the season for him to put himself higher on the selectors’ radar.
Corey Rocchiccioli (Western Australia)
Corey Rocchiccioli is the closest thing Australia has to Nathan Lyon in domestic cricket. Rocchiccioli, who stands above 190cm tall, has all the attributes to succeed as an offspinner in Australia. He gets the ball to drop as he comes from over the top of the ball, similar to what’s made Lyon so successful.
In fact, Rocchiccioli’s numbers at the WACA, usually a graveyard for spinners, is superb. He has taken 45 wickets at the ground at just 24.42. Last season, he played a key role in Western Australia’s third-straight Shield triumph, picking up 46 wickets overall at an average of 27.60 and economy of 2.90.
Todd Murphy and Matt Kuhnemann may be ahead of the pecking order when it comes to selection (along with Lyon) for Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka in early 2025. However, another big season for Rocchiccioli will make him difficult to ignore not only for the Sri Lanka series, but to become Lyon’s full-time replacement in the future.
Cameron Bancroft (Western Australia)
Cameron Green’s participation in the Border Gavaskar Trophy is in some doubt after picking up a back injury during the ODI series against England. As a result, Australia may shift Steve Smith to number four and bring in a specialist opener.
It might finally be Cameron Bancroft’s time after an excellent last two seasons. In 2022/23, Bancroft struck 945 runs at an average of 59.06, followed by 778 runs at 48.62 last campaign. He was also solid in the 2024 County Championship, hitting 832 runs at 48.94 for Gloucestershire.
“In international cricket, there’s always injuries or these guys [the incumbents] aren’t going to be around forever,” said Australia captain Pat Cummins in January. “Marcus [Harris] and Cam are still relatively young, as is Renners [Matt Renshaw]. So once that opening comes up at some point, any one of them we’re confident can jump straight in and do a really good job.”
If Bancroft starts off the 2024/25 with a bang, he may be too difficult for the selectors to ignore this time around.
Matt Renshaw (Queensland)
Another opener, this time Matt Renshaw. Despite a poor Shield campaign last season (374 runs, avg. 24.93), the 28-year-old was still picked in the Australia squad for the Test tour of New Zealand in March 2024. Despite not getting a Cricket Australia contract, the fact Renshaw was picked for that tour suggests the selectors believe in his ability.
“Think it’s open for anyone to jump up and grab the opportunity,” George Bailey, the chair of selectors, said back in March. “We were really clear with Matt, and not only Matt, the guys who missed out as well, it was a really close decision to take him on that New Zealand tour. I guess a blank page is a good way of describing it. I know Marcus Harris is one who has come off contract but he’s firmly in that mix as well, Cam Bancroft, Nathan McSweeney has had a wonderful season as well.”
If Renshaw enjoys a strong start to the Shield campaign, there is every chance he could find himself in the Australian XI come November 22 if Cameron Green is unavailable.
Marcus Harris (Victoria)
If 32-year-old Marcus Harris has visions of breaking through into the Australian team in the near future, now is the time to perform. Not only may a spot open up in the India series, but Usman Khawaja is 37 years of age and who knows how much longer he will go around for.
Harris has been in and around the setup for a few years, but has had a couple of lean Shield seasons. He averaged 29.75 (476 runs) in 2023/24 and 37.56 (601 runs) in 2022/23. If there is ever a time to knock the door down, it’s now.
This is more left field, but don’t count out fellow 32-year-old Sam Whiteman as a potential replacement in the future. He hit 770 runs last season at 40.52, including a superb hundred in the final against Tasmania. A big season from him and he could be on the selectors’ radar. Who knows.
Aaron Hardie (Western Australia)
All-rounder Aaron Hardie has now had a taste of international cricket in the white-ball formats. Now, it’s time to put his hand up further for a Test berth.
In 33 First Class matches, Hardie averages 40.45 with the bat (1,699 runs) and 28.53 with the ball (63 wickets). According to reports, he won’t bowl early in the Sheffield Shield season to manage his workload. However, if he plunders runs, he not only sends a message for the future, but could become a selection bolter for the India series if Green is ruled out given Australia’s desire to play two all-rounders.
Will Sutherland (Victoria)
Will Sutherland has come of age in recent years, going on to captain Victoria and represent Australia in ODIs. The 24-year-old has been excellent with the ball in the last two seasons in particular, taking 67 wickets at an average of 21.97.
However, for Sutherland to break into a future Australian Test team, his batting needs to go up a level or two. He averages 19.30 in 40 First Class matches to date. This is the season to deliver more with the bat as he manages his bowling workload after a back injury suffered late last season.
Nathan McAndrew (South Australia)
Nathan McAndrew has had a magnificent impact for South Australia since moving from New South Wales ahead of the 2021/22 season. He took the second-most wickets last campaign, with 48 at an average of 18.58. In the 2024/25 season, he has already had a big say for South Australia, taking 5/40 to seal a miraculous victory over Western Australia in the One Day Cup.
Another player to keen an eye on is McAndrew’s teammate Jordan Buckingham. Standing at 1.92m, Buckingham can get the ball to lift and generates decent pace. The 24-year-old took 25 wickets in 25.52 last season.
Jhye Richardson and Lance Morris (Western Australia)
Australia have kept tabs on Jhye Richardson throughout 2024 as he manages a return from more injury concerns. He made a successful return to state cricket in the Australian One Day Cup, taking a five-for against New South Wales last month.
“He’s fit and firing now, and again looking for match opportunities,” George Bailey said back in July. “I think he’ll get opportunities again across the summer.”
Should Richardson get through unscathed and have a big season, he could easily become the fourth choice fast bowler behind Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc. Another candidate is speedster Lance Morris, who is also managing a return from injury.
With an ageing Test squad and big tours to come, spots could be made available. So, the 2024/25 season of the Sheffield Shield is a big one, especially for the players mentioned in this article.
What do you think? Are there any other players we should keep an eye on? Do share your thoughts in the comments or get in touch with us on X @cric_blog.