Daniel Christian was surprisingly not offered a New South Wales contract for 2007-08 after playing every Ford Ranger Cup and Twenty20 match the season before, but South Australia - in desperate need of a batsman with a host of retirements - were quick to snap him up after Rod Marsh made a phone call. He played four first-class matches, returning 222 runs at 27.75. But it was in the one-day arena that he again impressed, with an average of 44.66 and a high score of 94.

The previous season he had showed plenty of promise as a top-order batsman, scoring a quick 38 in his one-day debut and helping to overcome South Australia with 68 from 79 deliveries at Adelaide. However, he was far too slow in another chase of 240, when his 95-ball 41 in part cost the Blues the match. Christian finished the limited-overs season with 256 runs - second only to Brad Haddin on the state's tally - at an average of 28.44 and a strike-rate of 74.63. His bowling, which is sharper than medium pace, continues to be handy. A member of the victorious Australia Under-19 World Cup-winning squad in 2001-02, Christian was an Academy graduate in 2003.

He also has an indigenous heritage and has captained a New South Wales Aboriginal All Stars team.
Cricinfo staff April 2008

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Dec 5, 2007 Daniel Christian was not out on 94 in South Australia's total of 203 © Getty Images

Feb 7, 2007 Luke Ronchi watches on as Daniel Christian lofts the ball over the infield © Getty Images

Jun 12, 2002 Daniel Christian - Portrait June 2002 © New South Wales Cricket Association

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