U-19 World Cup winners Sam Konstas, Ryan Hicks, Charlie Anderson on NSW contract list

Australia's rising superstars Sam Konstas, Ryan Hicks and Charlie Anderson have been rewarded for their impressive performances at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year. The trio played a key role in helping the team lift their fourth title in this category and have earned their first professional domestic contracts. 

New South Wales (NSW) have released their 2024-25 contract list with Konstas, Hicks and Anderson joining Nic Maddinson and Josh Philippe, who have moved from Victoria and Western Australia, respectively.

Konstas, who made his first-class debut for NSW last November, has been given a full contract.  He scored a century in the U-19 World Cup against West Indies and notched up his first Shield half-century in the final match of the season against Queensland. Meanwhile, Hicks and Anderson have been handed rookie deals. Hicks, a promising wicketkeeper batter, made a century in a U-19 Youth Test against England last year.

Right-arm pacer Anderson was impressive at the U-19 WC and took Jack Nisbet's rookie spot. The development comes after Nibsett was upgraded to a full contract after an impressive outing in his maiden Shield season, taking 18 wickets at 22.55 in his first five matches.

"Sam (Konstas) and Jack (Nisbet) both confirmed their talent and development at the domestic level last season and are deserving of their elevation to full contracts," NSW Cricket Performance chief Greg Mail was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"By the same account, Ryan Hicks and Charlie Anderson showed internationally at under 19 level and then through weight of consistency at Premier Cricket level that they were ready for rookie contracts and a full-time professional opportunity," he added.

Meanwhile, right-handed batters Jason Sangha and Baxter Holt lost their place in the contract list. As per reports, Sanga is set to join South Australia while Holt moves to Western Australia as back-up wicketkeeper to Josh Inglis.

New South Wales 2024-25 squad: Sean Abbott, Charlie Anderson, Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Joel Davies, Oliver Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hackney, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Ryan Hicks Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Sam Konstas, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Blake Nikitaras, Jack Nisbet, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Will Salzmann, Tanveer Sangha, Lachlan Shaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Chris Tremain, Adam Zampa