The trio that won the Australia Under-19 World Cup—Sam Konstas, Ryan Hicks, and Charlie Anderson—have been added to the New South Wales roster alongside Nic Maddinson and Josh Philippe, earning them their first professional domestic contracts.
NSW released their list of 2024–25 contract players, including Philippe, a new hire from Western Australia, and Maddinson, who returns to NSW following six seasons with Victoria.
Konstas, who is eighteen, participated in four Shield matches during his rookie season after making his first-class debut for NSW last November, just before the U-19 World Cup in South Africa. In the final match of the season, he scored his first Shield half-century against Queensland after making a century against the West Indies at the U-19 World Cup. Hicks and Anderson had rookie contracts, but he has a full contract. Hicks, a 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, struck a century against England in a U-19 “Test” last year. He will have the opportunity to advance behind Philippe and Matthew Gilkes on the list.
The 19-year-old Anderson took over Jack Nisbet’s rookie slot at the U-19 World Cup after the latter was upgraded to a full contract following an outstanding debut Shield season in which he claimed 18 wickets at a strike average of 22.55 in his opening five matches. Anderson bowled well.
Greg Mail, NSW’s chief cricket performance officer, was happy to see the three young players join the team. “Sam and Jack both confirmed their talent and development at the domestic level last season and are deserving of their elevation to full contracts,” the Daily Mail reported. According to the same account, Ryan Hicks and Charlie Anderson shown their readiness for rookie contracts and full-time professional opportunities when competing globally at the Under-19 level and later at the Premier Cricket level by consistent performance.
We are thrilled to have Josh and Nic join the team because players of their quality don’t come up every season. They will contribute to the depth and balance of our team since they each have a multitude of skills and strengths. We have a strong senior player group with a lot of experience who can help develop our young players.”
Both Baxter Holt and Jason Sangha have left the list of players under contract. Holt is expected to go to Western Australia to serve as Josh Inglis’ backup wicketkeeper, while Sangha is expected to join South Australia.
Kurtis Patterson, a former NSW captain and two-Test hitter, has stayed on the list even though he had looked into playing elsewhere after participating in just three Shield games the previous year.