Khawaja stays at Bulls despite feud
Test opener Usman Khawaja will again play for the Queensland Bulls next season despite his feud with the state's head of elite cricket Joe Dawes.
Khawaja was furious with Dawes for suggesting that the veteran batsman had 'no hamstring issues', the reason given for him not playing for the Bulls in their final match of the regular Sheffield Shield season in March against South Australia.
'Joe Dawes came out the other day and said a few inflammatory things, which was really disappointing to me as a player,' Khawaja said in March.
'Joe said the medical staff had no idea (about my hamstring injury). That is 100 per cent wrong.'
Despite his anger, Khawaja, 38, will again play for the Bulls as one of three Cricket Australia contracted players – the other two being state captain Marnus Labuschagne and paceman Xavier Bartlett – named in Queensland's 2025-26 squad.
The squad also includes emerging pace bowlers Tom Whitney and Tom Straker, who have secured full contracts after being elevated from the rookie list.
Dropping out of the squad are left-arm paceman Liam Guthrie, who has linked with English County side Northamptonshire, left-handed batsman Bryce Street and paceman Connor Sully.
'We wish Liam all the best at Northants under (former Bulls coach) Darren Lehmann and will stay close to Bryce and Connor as they tackle new challenges,'' Dawes said.
'The Bulls have plenty of incentives to build on their improvement last season, and we will back the squad to convert that potential into trophies in the coming seasons.
'We're excited about what lies ahead and look forward to improving as individuals and as a squad in the first-class and one-day competitions.'
Queensland Bulls 2025-26 squad: Cricket Australia contracted: Xavier Bartlett (Gold Coast), Usman Khawaja (Valley), Marnus Labuschagne (Redlands). Queensland contracted: Max Bryant (Valley), Hugo Burdon (Gold Coast), Jack Clayton (University of Qld), Lachlan Hearne (Toombul), Angus Lovell (University of Qld), Ben McDermott (Gold Coast), Michael Neser (Gold Coast), Jimmy Peirson (Redlands), Matthew Renshaw (Toombul), Gurinder Sandhu (South Brisbane), Jack Sinfield (Redlands), Mark Steketee (Valley), Tom Straker (Valley), Mitch Swepson (Sandgate-Redcliffe), Callum Vidler (Valley), Hugh Weibgen (Valley), Tom Whitney (Wests), Jack Wildermuth (Valley). Queensland rookie contracted: Lachy Aitken (Gold Coast), Tom Balkin (Toombul), Jem Ryan (Ipswich).
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The Advertiser
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- The Advertiser
Australia A call-up follows summer of redemption for Wallsend Tigers junior
Jason Sangha thought his first-class career was over. But, after a summer of redemption which culminated in a starring role to help South Australia win the Sheffield Shield final in March, the Wallsend Tigers junior has earned an Australia A call-up. The 25-year-old was part of a 16-player squad named on Monday to play five matches - three one-day fixtures and two four-day exchanges - against Sri Lanka A in Darwin in July. Sangha's international call-up came after a break-out campaign with South Australia, where he finished the season with 704 runs at 78.22 from just six games. The elegant right-hand bat scored one of three centuries in 2024-25 on debut for South Australia. Sangha then entered South Australia sporting folklore in March by hitting the winning runs in a knock of 126 not out as the Redbacks completed a record final chase against Queensland to secure the Sheffield Shield title for the first time in 29 years.. The performance came a year after being told by NSW he was no longer required. "I thought my career was over," Sangha told media at the time. "South Australia gave me a second chance. I owe them everything, really. They have saved my career." Sangha also topscored for Sydney Thunder in the 2024 BBL final, which was won by the Hobart Hurricanes. The former Australian under-19 captain, who scored his maiden first-class century playing for Cricket Australia XI against a touring England team as a teenager, was signed by Thunder at just 16 but recently committed to the Adelaide Strikers for the next two BBL campaigns. Six years after playing his last Test for Australia, Kurtis Patterson has been given another chance to stake his claim for an unlikely international comeback as one of several big names to headline the Australia A squad. Nathan McSweeney will feature after playing three Tests last summer before losing his spot at the top of the order, while Matt Renshaw was also named. "We've picked a balanced squad which provides a number of options, which we expect will be required over the course of the series," chief selector George Bailey said. "Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha and Kurtis Patterson have all had dominant Sheffield Shield seasons and earned the opportunity to test themselves against international opposition. "Additionally, there is a strong presence of emerging talent in the squad who will benefit from playing alongside senior players including Nathan McSweeney and Matthew Renshaw, who bring substantial experience at 'A' level." AUSTRALIA A SQUAD TO FACE SRI LANKA A: Sam Elliott, Matt Gilkes, Bryce Jackson, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan McSweeney, Jack Nisbet, Mitch Perry, Kurtis Patterson, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Matt Renshaw, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Billy Stanlake, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald. Meanwhile, Newcastle teenage cricket prodigy Caoimhe Bray has earned a rookie contract with the NSW Breakers for the 2025-26 Women's National Cricket League. The Denman product, who now lives in Adamstown, capped a break-out year when she was called into the Breakers squad last December. The 15-year-old all-rounder made history in October when she became the youngest person to ink a WBBL contract, signing a three-year deal with the Sydney Sixers. Bray made a dream WBBL debut by hitting the winning runs in the Sixers' opening victory over eventual champions Melbourne Renegades on October 27. She also played for Australia at the under-19 World Cup in Malaysia in January. Bray is one of three Newcastle cricketers named in the Breakers squad alongside spinners Samantha Bates and Sienna Eve. Jason Sangha thought his first-class career was over. But, after a summer of redemption which culminated in a starring role to help South Australia win the Sheffield Shield final in March, the Wallsend Tigers junior has earned an Australia A call-up. The 25-year-old was part of a 16-player squad named on Monday to play five matches - three one-day fixtures and two four-day exchanges - against Sri Lanka A in Darwin in July. Sangha's international call-up came after a break-out campaign with South Australia, where he finished the season with 704 runs at 78.22 from just six games. The elegant right-hand bat scored one of three centuries in 2024-25 on debut for South Australia. Sangha then entered South Australia sporting folklore in March by hitting the winning runs in a knock of 126 not out as the Redbacks completed a record final chase against Queensland to secure the Sheffield Shield title for the first time in 29 years.. The performance came a year after being told by NSW he was no longer required. "I thought my career was over," Sangha told media at the time. "South Australia gave me a second chance. I owe them everything, really. They have saved my career." Sangha also topscored for Sydney Thunder in the 2024 BBL final, which was won by the Hobart Hurricanes. The former Australian under-19 captain, who scored his maiden first-class century playing for Cricket Australia XI against a touring England team as a teenager, was signed by Thunder at just 16 but recently committed to the Adelaide Strikers for the next two BBL campaigns. Six years after playing his last Test for Australia, Kurtis Patterson has been given another chance to stake his claim for an unlikely international comeback as one of several big names to headline the Australia A squad. Nathan McSweeney will feature after playing three Tests last summer before losing his spot at the top of the order, while Matt Renshaw was also named. "We've picked a balanced squad which provides a number of options, which we expect will be required over the course of the series," chief selector George Bailey said. "Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha and Kurtis Patterson have all had dominant Sheffield Shield seasons and earned the opportunity to test themselves against international opposition. "Additionally, there is a strong presence of emerging talent in the squad who will benefit from playing alongside senior players including Nathan McSweeney and Matthew Renshaw, who bring substantial experience at 'A' level." AUSTRALIA A SQUAD TO FACE SRI LANKA A: Sam Elliott, Matt Gilkes, Bryce Jackson, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan McSweeney, Jack Nisbet, Mitch Perry, Kurtis Patterson, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Matt Renshaw, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Billy Stanlake, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald. Meanwhile, Newcastle teenage cricket prodigy Caoimhe Bray has earned a rookie contract with the NSW Breakers for the 2025-26 Women's National Cricket League. The Denman product, who now lives in Adamstown, capped a break-out year when she was called into the Breakers squad last December. The 15-year-old all-rounder made history in October when she became the youngest person to ink a WBBL contract, signing a three-year deal with the Sydney Sixers. Bray made a dream WBBL debut by hitting the winning runs in the Sixers' opening victory over eventual champions Melbourne Renegades on October 27. She also played for Australia at the under-19 World Cup in Malaysia in January. Bray is one of three Newcastle cricketers named in the Breakers squad alongside spinners Samantha Bates and Sienna Eve. Jason Sangha thought his first-class career was over. But, after a summer of redemption which culminated in a starring role to help South Australia win the Sheffield Shield final in March, the Wallsend Tigers junior has earned an Australia A call-up. The 25-year-old was part of a 16-player squad named on Monday to play five matches - three one-day fixtures and two four-day exchanges - against Sri Lanka A in Darwin in July. Sangha's international call-up came after a break-out campaign with South Australia, where he finished the season with 704 runs at 78.22 from just six games. The elegant right-hand bat scored one of three centuries in 2024-25 on debut for South Australia. Sangha then entered South Australia sporting folklore in March by hitting the winning runs in a knock of 126 not out as the Redbacks completed a record final chase against Queensland to secure the Sheffield Shield title for the first time in 29 years.. The performance came a year after being told by NSW he was no longer required. "I thought my career was over," Sangha told media at the time. "South Australia gave me a second chance. I owe them everything, really. They have saved my career." Sangha also topscored for Sydney Thunder in the 2024 BBL final, which was won by the Hobart Hurricanes. The former Australian under-19 captain, who scored his maiden first-class century playing for Cricket Australia XI against a touring England team as a teenager, was signed by Thunder at just 16 but recently committed to the Adelaide Strikers for the next two BBL campaigns. Six years after playing his last Test for Australia, Kurtis Patterson has been given another chance to stake his claim for an unlikely international comeback as one of several big names to headline the Australia A squad. Nathan McSweeney will feature after playing three Tests last summer before losing his spot at the top of the order, while Matt Renshaw was also named. "We've picked a balanced squad which provides a number of options, which we expect will be required over the course of the series," chief selector George Bailey said. "Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha and Kurtis Patterson have all had dominant Sheffield Shield seasons and earned the opportunity to test themselves against international opposition. "Additionally, there is a strong presence of emerging talent in the squad who will benefit from playing alongside senior players including Nathan McSweeney and Matthew Renshaw, who bring substantial experience at 'A' level." AUSTRALIA A SQUAD TO FACE SRI LANKA A: Sam Elliott, Matt Gilkes, Bryce Jackson, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan McSweeney, Jack Nisbet, Mitch Perry, Kurtis Patterson, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Matt Renshaw, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Billy Stanlake, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald. Meanwhile, Newcastle teenage cricket prodigy Caoimhe Bray has earned a rookie contract with the NSW Breakers for the 2025-26 Women's National Cricket League. The Denman product, who now lives in Adamstown, capped a break-out year when she was called into the Breakers squad last December. The 15-year-old all-rounder made history in October when she became the youngest person to ink a WBBL contract, signing a three-year deal with the Sydney Sixers. Bray made a dream WBBL debut by hitting the winning runs in the Sixers' opening victory over eventual champions Melbourne Renegades on October 27. She also played for Australia at the under-19 World Cup in Malaysia in January. Bray is one of three Newcastle cricketers named in the Breakers squad alongside spinners Samantha Bates and Sienna Eve. Jason Sangha thought his first-class career was over. But, after a summer of redemption which culminated in a starring role to help South Australia win the Sheffield Shield final in March, the Wallsend Tigers junior has earned an Australia A call-up. The 25-year-old was part of a 16-player squad named on Monday to play five matches - three one-day fixtures and two four-day exchanges - against Sri Lanka A in Darwin in July. Sangha's international call-up came after a break-out campaign with South Australia, where he finished the season with 704 runs at 78.22 from just six games. The elegant right-hand bat scored one of three centuries in 2024-25 on debut for South Australia. Sangha then entered South Australia sporting folklore in March by hitting the winning runs in a knock of 126 not out as the Redbacks completed a record final chase against Queensland to secure the Sheffield Shield title for the first time in 29 years.. The performance came a year after being told by NSW he was no longer required. "I thought my career was over," Sangha told media at the time. "South Australia gave me a second chance. I owe them everything, really. They have saved my career." Sangha also topscored for Sydney Thunder in the 2024 BBL final, which was won by the Hobart Hurricanes. The former Australian under-19 captain, who scored his maiden first-class century playing for Cricket Australia XI against a touring England team as a teenager, was signed by Thunder at just 16 but recently committed to the Adelaide Strikers for the next two BBL campaigns. Six years after playing his last Test for Australia, Kurtis Patterson has been given another chance to stake his claim for an unlikely international comeback as one of several big names to headline the Australia A squad. Nathan McSweeney will feature after playing three Tests last summer before losing his spot at the top of the order, while Matt Renshaw was also named. "We've picked a balanced squad which provides a number of options, which we expect will be required over the course of the series," chief selector George Bailey said. "Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha and Kurtis Patterson have all had dominant Sheffield Shield seasons and earned the opportunity to test themselves against international opposition. "Additionally, there is a strong presence of emerging talent in the squad who will benefit from playing alongside senior players including Nathan McSweeney and Matthew Renshaw, who bring substantial experience at 'A' level." AUSTRALIA A SQUAD TO FACE SRI LANKA A: Sam Elliott, Matt Gilkes, Bryce Jackson, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan McSweeney, Jack Nisbet, Mitch Perry, Kurtis Patterson, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Matt Renshaw, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Billy Stanlake, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald. Meanwhile, Newcastle teenage cricket prodigy Caoimhe Bray has earned a rookie contract with the NSW Breakers for the 2025-26 Women's National Cricket League. The Denman product, who now lives in Adamstown, capped a break-out year when she was called into the Breakers squad last December. The 15-year-old all-rounder made history in October when she became the youngest person to ink a WBBL contract, signing a three-year deal with the Sydney Sixers. Bray made a dream WBBL debut by hitting the winning runs in the Sixers' opening victory over eventual champions Melbourne Renegades on October 27. She also played for Australia at the under-19 World Cup in Malaysia in January. Bray is one of three Newcastle cricketers named in the Breakers squad alongside spinners Samantha Bates and Sienna Eve.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Dominant' Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha and Kurtis Patterson chosen for Australia A
Batsmen Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha and Kurtis Patterson have been rewarded for 'dominant' 2024-25 Sheffield Shield seasons with selection in an Australia A squad for a five-match multi-format series against Sri Lanka A next month in Darwin. Tasmania's Weatherald was the competition's highest run-scorer with 906 at average of 50.33. Patterson averaged 57.15 in scoring 743 runs for NSW, while Sangha, who was part of South Australia's Shield winning team, scored 704 runs at an average of 78.22. 'Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha and Kurtis Patterson have all had dominant Sheffield Shield seasons and earned the opportunity to test themselves against international opposition,' national chairman of selectors George Bailey said. Apart from Patterson, the other players in the squad with Test mach experience are SA skipper Nathan McSweeney and Queensland batsman Matthew Renshaw, while Tasmania paceman Billy Stanlake and NSW wicketkeeper Josh Philippe have represented Australia in white-ball cricket. Selectors did not consider players with existing overseas opportunities in choosing the squad for a series to be made up of three 50-over one-day games and two four-day matches. An Australia A captain is yet to announced. 'We're looking forward to playing an Australia A series in Darwin and experiencing the unique Northern Territory winter climate which allows for a variety of conditions,' Bailey said. 'We've picked a balanced squad which provides a number of options, which we expect will be required over the course of the series. 'Additionally, there is a strong presence of emerging talent in the squad who will benefit from playing alongside senior players including Nathan McSweeney and Matthew Renshaw.' Australia A: Sam Elliott (VIC), Matt Gilkes (NSW), Bryce Jackson (SA), Campbell Kellaway (VIC), Nathan McSweeney (SA), Jack Nisbet (NSW), Mitch Perry (VIC), Kurtis Patterson (NSW), Oliver Peake (VIC), Josh Philippe (NSW), Matt Renshaw (QLD), Jason Sangha (SA), Liam Scott (SA), Billy Stanlake (TAS), Henry Thornton (SA), Jake Weatherald (TAS), Australia A v Sri Lanka A series in Darwin July 4: 50-over match, Marrara Cricket Ground (D/N) July 6: 50-over match, Marrara Cricket Ground
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
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Ex-Test bats get chance to make case in Australia A
Kurtis Patterson will be given another chance to stake his claim for an unlikely international comeback, named in the Australia A squad to face Sri Lanka A. Six years after playing his last Test for Australia, Patterson is one of several big names to headline the 16-man 'A' squad for the multi-format series in Darwin next month. Nathan McSweeney will feature after playing three Tests last summer before losing his spot at the top of the order, while Matt Renshaw is also named. Former white-ball international quick Billy Stanlake forms part of the squad after playing just two 50-over games for Tasmania last summer, while Tigers opener Jake Weatherald also features. Australia's selectors did not consider players who already have overseas deals that overlap with the three one-day and two four-day games against the Sri Lankans. Patterson is currently in the middle of a three-match stint with Surrey, but will return home in time to play for Australia A. A century-maker in his last Test for Australia in early 2019, Patterson was squeezed out of the side when David Warner and Steve Smith returned from bans. The 32-year-old's career has been a rollercoaster since then, including going from captaining NSW in the Sheffield Shield to being dropped altogether. Patterson won back his spot in the state side last summer, and was the competition's fourth-leading run-scorer with 743 at an average of 57.15. The left-hander also scored a century for Australia A against the England Lions in January, further making his case for a Test recall. "We've picked a balanced squad which provides a number of options, which we expect will be required over the course of the series," chief selector George Bailey said. "Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha and Kurtis Patterson have all had dominant Sheffield Shield seasons and earned the opportunity to test themselves against international opposition. "Additionally, there is a strong presence of emerging talent in the squad who will benefit from playing alongside senior players including Nathan McSweeney and Matthew Renshaw who bring substantial experience at 'A' level." AUSTRALIA A SQUAD TO FACE SRI LANKA A: Sam Elliott, Matt Gilkes, Bryce Jackson, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan McSweeney, Jack Nisbet, Mitch Perry, Kurtis Patterson, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Matt Renshaw, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Billy Stanlake, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald. Kurtis Patterson will be given another chance to stake his claim for an unlikely international comeback, named in the Australia A squad to face Sri Lanka A. Six years after playing his last Test for Australia, Patterson is one of several big names to headline the 16-man 'A' squad for the multi-format series in Darwin next month. Nathan McSweeney will feature after playing three Tests last summer before losing his spot at the top of the order, while Matt Renshaw is also named. Former white-ball international quick Billy Stanlake forms part of the squad after playing just two 50-over games for Tasmania last summer, while Tigers opener Jake Weatherald also features. Australia's selectors did not consider players who already have overseas deals that overlap with the three one-day and two four-day games against the Sri Lankans. Patterson is currently in the middle of a three-match stint with Surrey, but will return home in time to play for Australia A. A century-maker in his last Test for Australia in early 2019, Patterson was squeezed out of the side when David Warner and Steve Smith returned from bans. The 32-year-old's career has been a rollercoaster since then, including going from captaining NSW in the Sheffield Shield to being dropped altogether. Patterson won back his spot in the state side last summer, and was the competition's fourth-leading run-scorer with 743 at an average of 57.15. The left-hander also scored a century for Australia A against the England Lions in January, further making his case for a Test recall. "We've picked a balanced squad which provides a number of options, which we expect will be required over the course of the series," chief selector George Bailey said. "Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha and Kurtis Patterson have all had dominant Sheffield Shield seasons and earned the opportunity to test themselves against international opposition. "Additionally, there is a strong presence of emerging talent in the squad who will benefit from playing alongside senior players including Nathan McSweeney and Matthew Renshaw who bring substantial experience at 'A' level." AUSTRALIA A SQUAD TO FACE SRI LANKA A: Sam Elliott, Matt Gilkes, Bryce Jackson, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan McSweeney, Jack Nisbet, Mitch Perry, Kurtis Patterson, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Matt Renshaw, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Billy Stanlake, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald. Kurtis Patterson will be given another chance to stake his claim for an unlikely international comeback, named in the Australia A squad to face Sri Lanka A. Six years after playing his last Test for Australia, Patterson is one of several big names to headline the 16-man 'A' squad for the multi-format series in Darwin next month. Nathan McSweeney will feature after playing three Tests last summer before losing his spot at the top of the order, while Matt Renshaw is also named. Former white-ball international quick Billy Stanlake forms part of the squad after playing just two 50-over games for Tasmania last summer, while Tigers opener Jake Weatherald also features. Australia's selectors did not consider players who already have overseas deals that overlap with the three one-day and two four-day games against the Sri Lankans. Patterson is currently in the middle of a three-match stint with Surrey, but will return home in time to play for Australia A. A century-maker in his last Test for Australia in early 2019, Patterson was squeezed out of the side when David Warner and Steve Smith returned from bans. The 32-year-old's career has been a rollercoaster since then, including going from captaining NSW in the Sheffield Shield to being dropped altogether. Patterson won back his spot in the state side last summer, and was the competition's fourth-leading run-scorer with 743 at an average of 57.15. The left-hander also scored a century for Australia A against the England Lions in January, further making his case for a Test recall. "We've picked a balanced squad which provides a number of options, which we expect will be required over the course of the series," chief selector George Bailey said. "Jake Weatherald, Jason Sangha and Kurtis Patterson have all had dominant Sheffield Shield seasons and earned the opportunity to test themselves against international opposition. "Additionally, there is a strong presence of emerging talent in the squad who will benefit from playing alongside senior players including Nathan McSweeney and Matthew Renshaw who bring substantial experience at 'A' level." AUSTRALIA A SQUAD TO FACE SRI LANKA A: Sam Elliott, Matt Gilkes, Bryce Jackson, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan McSweeney, Jack Nisbet, Mitch Perry, Kurtis Patterson, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Matt Renshaw, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Billy Stanlake, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald.
