Carder joins South Australia

Western Australian top order batsman Jake Carder has joined South Australia for the 2021-22 season, with the Redbacks announcing the left hander's signing as part of their contracted player list on Thursday.

The 25 year old joins South Australia in search of more opportunities, having only featured in seven first class matches with Western Australia in the past two seasons despite prolific campaigns for Fremantle.

Carder averaged 71 in two first class matches in 2020/21 but couldn't usurp incumbent openers Sam Whiteman and Cameron Bancroft, redeployed to the middle order for games against Queensland and Victoria before making way for state captain Mitchell Marsh for the final game against Tasmania.

Carder captained Fremantle in WA Premier Cricket this season, scoring 864 runs for the Port boys at 57.60 with three centuries, following up a 717 run summer in 2019-20 that saw the compact left hander awarded his maiden state call-up.

He joins several new faces at South Australia under coach Jason Gillepsie, Queensland paceman Brendan Doggett and batsman Nathan McSweeney also signing for the 2021-22 summer.

New South Wales pace bowling all-rounder Nathan McAndrew rounds out the additions, with former Blues batsman Ryan Gibson promoted from a rookie to full state contract as well as Samuel Kerber and Jordan Buckingham.

South Australia had already parted ways with Will Bosisto, Tom Cooper, Brad Davis, Conor McInerney, Luke Robins and Cameron Valente - all delisted - while Callum Ferguson and Chadd Sayers retired during the season after long careers with the Redbacks.

"We are extremely delighted with the additions we've been able to make to freshen up our squad, and we're optimistic for an improved 2021-22 season," Gillespie said.

"We have added considerable depth and increased our pace stocks, namely with Brendan who is a two-time Sheffield Shield champion, and we welcome each new player and look forward to the beginning of pre-season.

We've shaped this new-look team with a focus on results, and we are confident that this rejuvenated list can take this proud state forward."

South Australia have finished bottom of the table each of the past four Sheffield Shield seasons, failing to win a match in the most recent summer in either of the first class of 50 over formats.

Western Australia could also lose all-rounder Hilton Cartwright to Victoria, with WA set to reveal their state contracts list in the coming weeks.

IMAGE: The West Australian.