Nic Maddinson has been cut from the NSW cricket squad on the 'up or out' principle,' less than 18 months after playing three Tests for Australia against South Africa.
Maddinson, 26, averaged just 6.75 in those Tests and 23 in the Sheffield Shield last summer, when he scored only one 50 in 13 innings.
"Nic is a mercurial talent who has played Test cricket but he lacked consistency for the Blues at Sheffield Shield level, averaging under 33 across the past eight seasons," said Cricket NSW general manager of cricket performance David Moore.
"NSW is an 'up or out' system and we now need to give new players their opportunity. We wish Nic well in the future and hope he achieves his potential in the game."
Despite his inconsistency in the first-class arena, attacking left-hander Maddinson remains a dangerous, proven and coveted short-form performer.
The Melbourne Stars have already signed the former Sydney Sixer to a three-year BBL contract.
He was the second-highest run-scorer last season in the domestic one-day competition, tallying 398 runs at an average of 66.33, with two hundreds and a 50 in six innings.
Maddinson has yet to to find a new domestic home for first-class and one-day cricket.
He took a short break from the game early last year for personal reasons soon after being dropped from the Test team.
Maddinson is one of five players from last season's squad, not on Cricket NSW's 2018-19 list of contracted players.
Reserve wicketkeeper Jay Lenton wasn't retained, leaving former Test player Peter Nevill as the only contracted keeper on their roster.
Paceman Gurinder Sandhu has moved to Tasmania, while Ed Cowan and Doug Bollinger have retired.
In their places, NSW have promoted five young cricketers, who had been on rookie contacts last season.
The quintet comprises highly rated batsman Jason Sangha, who captained Australia at the recent under-19 World Cup, allrounder and Australian teammate Param Uppal, legspinner Dan Fallins and fast bowlers Mickey Edwards and Liam Hatcher.
Uppal, Edwards and Fallins all debuted last season for the Blues. Sangha made a first-class century against England during a November tour match in Townsville, and Hatcher has represented the Cricket Australia XI in the domestic one-day competition.
Australian Associated Press
