Blewett signs deal to end career in South Australia

Greg Blewett, the former Test batsman, will finish his state career at South Australia after signing a multi-year deal with the Redbacks. Despite considering a move for next season, Blewett will remain in Adelaide and be part of an envious top order including Darren Lehmann and Matthew Elliott, the new recruit from Victoria.

"[This contract] will probably see me through, I'm 33 now, so it guarantees me I'm going to finish my career in SA, which is always what I wanted," Blewett, who has played 225 matches since his first-class debut in 1991, told AAP. Blewett contacted players from other states to "sound out" his options and there was a feeling he wanted to leave once Elliott was signed.

"It's always a nervous time, contract time, you never know what the other party is thinking," he said. "I was never really approached formally by anyone. I'd made all the approaches myself."

An opening batsman for most of the past few seasons, Blewett, who played 46 Tests, will probably drop to No. 3 next summer. "We've got one very good recruit but that doesn't necessarily mean we're going to go on and win everything," Blewett said. "At this stage I'd like to think we're fairly confident of being up near the top somewhere."