Confident Bushrangers ready to improve

Victoria have looked to a couple of hardened performers in Chris Rogers and Damien Wright to complete their well rounded squad for 2008-09. The Bushrangers reached the final of all three competitions last season, but their only success was in Twenty20 and they have settled on a 26-man outfit.

The coach Greg Shipperd believes Victoria's stocks have improved with the inclusion of Rogers, the batsman who signed from Western Australia, and Wright, Tasmania's former fast bowler. "Chris has a sensational first-class record and Damien has been a key member of a Pura Cup-winning team," Shipperd said.

"To add guys of that calibre to a squad that made the final in each competition last season gives us a lot of confidence. They'll offer a great deal in terms of experience, which will benefit all our squad, and particularly the rookies and younger players."

Michael Klinger (South Australia), Allan Wise (South Australia), Gerard Denton (Tasmania) and Peter Nevill (New South Wales) have left the team in the off-season while Mick Lewis retired and the batsman Grant Baldwin did not receive a contract. James Pattinson, the Australia Under-19 fast bowler, has been upgraded to a full deal while Michael Hill, Australia's Under-19 captain, Jon Holland, Kumar Sarna, Brett Forsyth and Steve Gilmour are on the rookie list.

Full contracts Aiden Blizzard, Adam Crosthwaite, Aaron Finch, Shane Harwood, John Hastings, Nick Jewell, Lloyd Mash, Andrew McDonald, Bryce McGain, Clinton McKay, Dirk Nannes, Darren Pattinson, James Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Matthew Wade, Damien Wright.
Rookies Brett Forsyth, Steve Gilmour, Michael Hill, Jon Holland, Kumar Sarna.
Cricket Australia contracts Cameron White, Brad Hodge, David Hussey.