Victoria has signed young NSW fast bowler Chris Tremain for the next two seasons to boost its pace depth in the expected absence of Test quicks James Pattinson and Peter Siddle on national duty.
Tremain, 22, has been starved of opportunities with the Blues since making his Sheffield Shield debut against Victoria in 2012, but has taken 18 wickets including a five-wicket haul in his six first-class appearances. His move completes a quiet trade period for the Bushrangers, whose attack struggled when Pattinson and Siddle were away (or in Pattinson's case, injured) last season.
Siddle, edged out of the Test team by Pattinson in South Africa, is keeping his motor running with Nottinghamshire during the winter but in his first outing for the county was treated to a close-up view of Sam Robson, the Sydney-born opener who is tipped to make his Test debut for England against Sri Lanka in June.
"I see Sam opening the batting for England this summer," said Australian opener and Middlesex captain Chris Rogers after Robson made 163 against Nottinghamshire. "This is a massive shame because I still believe he should be playing for Australia. He should be honoured to play for Australia but that's his choice."
Former Australian under-19 captain Michael Hill has left Victoria to seek a fresh start in Tasmania, where Mark Cosgrove's return to South Australia opened up a batting spot. Former SA captain Michael Klinger, in turn, opted for a longer contract in Western Australia than the Redbacks were prepared to offer the ultra-consistent batsman.
A couple of famous names feature on state contract lists - Jake Lehmann, the son of Australian coach Darren, and a left-handed batsman, was granted a rookie deal with South Australia. And David Moody, the teenage nephew of former Australian allrounder Tom, will be a rookie medium pacer with Western Australia.
