Last Updated on 7 months by Charbel Coorey

The 2024/25 Australia One Day Cup, the first tournament of the men’s white-ball season, kicks off on September 22. Western Australia are aiming for a fourth-straight one-day title, which has never been achieved before in Australian domestic cricket. The other five teams (New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland) will be seeking to dethrone WA this season.

With the Australian team on the verge of a transition period in the coming years, this season is an opportunity for talent to shine. In this article, we’ll look at six players – both rookies and more experienced players – who can put themselves on the radar of the national selectors.

2024/25 Australia white-ball season: 6 players to keep an eye on

1. Oliver Davies (New South Wales & Sydney Thunder)

The 2024/25 season is a big one for New South Wales’ Oliver Davies. The 23-year-old has done his best work in First Class cricket to date, hitting 754 runs in nine matches at an average of 53.85. However, it’s the strike rate (81.51) which has caught the eye, where he has showcased his ability to counterattack even on difficult pitches at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

In 19 List A games, Davies has scored 546 runs at an average of 36.40 and strike rate of 91.00. Australia may be on the search for middle order players in both ODIs and T20Is over the next few years, so now is the time for Davies to produce his best in the One Day Cup and Big Bash League (BBL).

2. Mahli Beardman (Western Australia & Perth Scorchers)

Pace bowler Mahli Beardman produced a player of the match performance in the Under-19 World Cup Final against India in February 2024. He took 3/15 in seven overs in what was an excellent display of seam bowling.

Standing at 6 feet 2 inches, Beardman can hit the deck and generate good pace. Western Australia have strong depth in their pace department, but opportunities can arise for Beardman with injuries and player rotation a possibility throughout the campaign. He is also in the Perth Scorchers squad for the 2024/25 BBL season.

“We saw a little bit of Mahli Beardman in the one-day cup (one game last season) – he’s exciting and he’s as fit as he’s been for a number of years,” said WA captain Ashton Turner. “Having watched him bowl, he’s going from strength to strength. Hopefully we can see him play a bit more cricket at the domestic level.”

The national selectors rate Beardman highly. He joined the Australian ODI squad in the UK as a standby player.

3. Jordan Buckingham (South Australia & Adelaide Strikers)

Jordan Buckingham enjoyed a great start to his List A career last season, taking nine wickets in three innings at an average of 13.88. He also played key roles in helping South Australia win Sheffield Shield matches, including a miraculous win over Queensland by three runs where Buckingham took three wickets in 15 balls.

Buckingham has represented Australia A twice. He’s featured in the Prime Minister’s XI and a Cricket Australia XI against South Africa. Also, national selectors George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide keep in touch.

“I’ve had probably a handful of calls from George and Tony, around where I’m at,” Buckingham said to cricket.com.au earlier in 2024. “What’s coming up, a few messages of congratulations when you do well, I think it’s very good.”

Expect Buckingham to also play a key role for the Adelaide Strikers. If he has a big campaign, especially through his powerplay bowling, opportunities can present themselves to represent Australia in the coming years.

4. Josh Philippe (New South Wales & Sydney Sixers)

Josh Philippe has gone off the radar a little since representing Australia in three ODIs and 12 T20Is between 2021 and 2023. He had an underwhelming 2023/24 season in white-ball cricket. He scored 244 runs at an average of 30.50 and strike rate of 82.71 in the Marsh Cup and just 257 runs (avg. 23.36, SR 128.50) in the BBL where he is usually much more prolific.

Philippe has moved from Western Australia to New South Wales, and a big domestic season can put him back on the selectors’ radar.

5. Callum Vidler (Queensland & Brisbane Heat)

Callum Vidler, another brilliant performer in Australia’s 2024 U19 World Cup triumph, could see opportunities this season as he secured a full contract with Queensland. He was Australia’s top wicket-taker in the tournament, with 14 wickets at an average of 11.71, including a best of 4/17 against England.

Vidler has already had a taste of top-level cricket. In March, he made his Sheffield Shield debut against New South Wales, where he picked up five wickets (2/50 and 3/38). He dismissed recognised batsmen Daniel Hughes (twice), Blake Nikitaras, Oliver Davies and Matthew Gilkes in the match.

Vidler is a skiddy fast bowler who can exceed 140km/h, shape the new ball and bowl a quick bouncer. “My job is to bowl fast,” he said in January 2024. “If anyone ever tells me to slow down, don’t listen to them.”

6. Tom Straker (Queensland & Brisbane Heat)

Tom Straker is another one of Australia’s promising fast bowlers from the U19 World Cup. He was outstanding in the semi-final against Pakistan where he took 6/29.

Straker stands above six foot and bowls a heavy ball. He secured a rookie deal with Queensland and could play during the One Day Cup and BBL with the likes of Xavier Bartlett featuring more for Australia in recent times.

“Straker bowls a ridiculously heavy ball. He has a great bumper,” said Vidler of his teammate in January.

Cricket Australia (CA) are currently searching for a new name for its One Day Cup competition. They are seeking to honour some of the best players to have played the game. You can vote here.