Five new players included in South Australian squad

Graham Manou was appointed as the captain for South Australia's Pura Cup opener against Victoria at the Adelaide Oval starting on October 16. The 12-man squad for the game was also announced and five new players were included, with all of them likely to make their first-class debut. Paul Rofe, the 23-year-old fast bowler, was chosen as the vice-captain.

Callum Ferguson, the talented 19-year-old batsman and Australian Under-19 vice-captain, and Dan Cullen, an offspinner from the Adelaide Buffalos, will probably make their first-class debuts. The other new faces were Jack Smith, Tom Plant (both batsmen) and an allrounder from Port Adelaide, Matthew Weeks.

The five players to be left out were Shane Deitz, Mick Miller, Mark Higgs, John Davison and Ryan Harris. All of them were part of the side which played in the final match of the Pura Cup last season, against Western Australia in March.

Paul Nobes the chairman of selectors, said that the panel had focused on the future when selecting this side. "We have not been pleased with the performances of the past and you do not achieve different results without making changes," he said. "In selecting this side, we have looked not only to this one game, but we have looked to start building a successful side for the future."

The team for the first ING Cup game of the season, against Queensland on October 23, was also selected. Matthew Weeks is likely to make his domestic one-day debut in that game, while John Davison was chosen as the vice-captain.

South Australia Pura Cup squad
1 Graham Manou (capt), 2 Paul Rofe (vice-captain), 3 Greg Blewett, 4 Ben Cameron, 5 Mark Cleary, 6 Mark Cosgrove, 7 Dan Cullen, 8 Callum Ferguson, 9 Tom Plant, 10 Jack Smith, 11 Shaun Tait, 12 Matthew Weeks.

South Australia ING Cup squad
1 Graham Manou (capt), 2 John Davison (vice-captain), 3 Greg Blewett, 4 Ben Cameron, 5 Mark Cleary, 6 Mark Cosgrove, 7 Callum Ferguson, 8 Ryan Harris, 9 Mark Higgs, 10 Mick Miller, 11 Shaun Tait, 12 Matthew Weeks.