Vics name new skipper in contract list

Test batsman Peter Handscomb has been unveiled as Victoria's new captain after the departure of Test and ODI wicketkeeper Matthew Wade to Tasmania.

Handscomb was today announced as the Bushrangers' skipper for the 2017-18 season while talented allrounder Will Sutherland, the son of Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland, and left-armer Tom O'Donnell, son of former Australia allrounder Simon O'Donnell, have earned rookie contracts.

Wade is one of six players missing from last season's contracted list, joining Australia allrounder Marcus Stoinis (moved to Western Australia), former Test players Michael Beer and Rob Quiney (dropped) as well as allrounders Evan Gulbis and Ian Holland (dropped).

Quiney, who played two Tests in 2012, has also retired from first-class cricket but will continue to play for the Melbourne Stars in the KFC Big Bash League.

The left-hander was a part of nine title-winning sides for the Vics across all three forms of the game and scored 5674 first-class runs, including 11 centuries.

Sam Harper, the frontrunner to replace Wade as full-time gloveman, has been upgraded from a rookie deal to a full contract, as has talented young batsman Will Pucovski.

Handscomb is one of four Bushrangers who also hold a Cricket Australia contract, along with Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell and James Pattinson.

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"It’s an absolute honour and privilege to be named captain of Victoria, and something I take a lot of pride in," Handscomb said in a statement.

"To be able to lead such a strong and successful team that has won three Sheffield Shield titles in a row is an amazing opportunity.

"Following in the footsteps of some Victorian greats like Bill Lawry and more recently Cameron White and Matthew Wade who have led Victoria to so much success, is exciting."

The Bushrangers are chasing what would be a record fourth consecutive JLT Sheffield Shield title this season.

Other contracted players to have tasted international action previously include pacemen Peter Siddle, John Hastings, Scott Boland and Chris Tremain as well as recently recalled allrounder Dan Christian.

"Although we’ve lost some senior experience for this season, we’re fortunate to have a number of our younger players having gained valuable experience over the last two years and they know what it takes to be successful at first-class level,” said Cricket Victoria General Manager of Cricket Shaun Graf.

"Add young stars Will Pucovski and Will Sutherland to that mix and it’s an exciting time for Victorian cricket –  it’s hard to think of a time when we’ve been in a stronger, more successful position in the state’s history.

"Our ongoing focus has been on developing players ready for Australian selection while also being highly competitive at domestic level. The results clearly show we’re achieving this goal with 13 Victorians representing Australia across all formats in the same period we’ve won three straight Sheffield Shield titles."

Commonwealth Bank Victorian Bushrangers 2017-18 playing list

Cricket Australia contracted: Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson

Full contracts: Fawad Ahmed, Scott Boland, Daniel Christian, Jackson Coleman, Xavier Crone, Travis Dean, Sebastian Gotch, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, John Hastings, Jon Holland, James Muirhead, Will Pucovski, Jake Reed, Matthew Short, Peter Siddle, Blake Thomson, Chris Tremain, Guy Walker, Cameron White

Rookie contracts: Zak Evans, Sam Grimwade, Jackson Koop, Tom O’Donnell, Mitch Perry, Will Sutherland