Rob Quiney retires from first-class cricket as Victoria revamp contract list

Former Test batsman Rob Quiney has announced his retirement from first-class cricket after he was not offered a Victoria contract for 2017-18.

Quiney, 35, played two Tests against South Africa in 2012-13 and was a fixture of Victoria's squad over the past decade, winning five Sheffield Shield titles with the Bushrangers in 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016 and 2017. He will leave the game with 5674 runs at an average of 36.84 from 96 first-class appearances.

Quiney's retirement came as Victoria revamped their contract list for next summer, also losing captain Matthew Wade to Tasmania and allrounder Marcus Stoinis to Western Australia. Left-arm spinner Michael Beer, who is also a former Test cricketer, was not offered a new contract, while Evan Gulbis and Ian Holland were also omitted.

As expected, Peter Handscomb was confirmed as the state's new captain, replacing Wade. Young batsmen Will Pucovski and Blake Thomson were handed full contracts, along with wicketkeeper Sam Harper and fast bowler Xavier Crone. Rookie deals were given to fast bowlers Mitch Perry and Zak Evans, as well as Will Sutherland, the son of Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland.

"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," Shaun Graf, Cricket Victoria's general manager of cricket, said.

"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."

Graf said Quiney had been a significant contributor to Victoria over the past decade.

"Rob Quiney has been a tremendous figure in Victorian cricket throughout his highly decorated career," Graf said. "He embodies all of Victoria's values and it's a testament to his skill and character that he's been able to achieve so much success as a player, particularly playing in our five most recent Sheffield Shield titles including the three-peat."

Quiney won consecutive Bill Lawry Medals as Victoria's Shield player of the year in 2010-11 and 2011-12, and a Dean Jones Medal as the state's one-day player of the year in 2011-12. In 2012, he was also named the State Player of the Year at the Allan Border Medal night.

He won his call-up to Test cricket in November 2012, when he replaced the injured Shane Watson for the first Test against South Africa at the Gabba. He made 9 in his only innings and retained his place for the second Test in Adelaide, but was axed after completing a pair in that match.

Victoria squad Fawad Ahmed, Scott Boland, Daniel Christian, Jackson Coleman, Xavier Crone, Travis Dean, Aaron Finch (Cricket Australia contract), Sebastian Gotch, Peter Handscomb (capt, CA contract), Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, John Hastings, Jon Holland, Glenn Maxwell (CA contract), James Muirhead, James Pattinson (CA contract), Will Pucovski, Jake Reed, Matthew Short, Peter Siddle, Blake Thomson, Chris Tremain, Guy Walker, Cameron White. Rookies Zak Evans, Sam Grimwade, Jackson Koop, Tom O'Donnell, Mitch Perry, Will Sutherland.