Beau Casson

Infobox cricketer biography
playername = Beau Casson
female =


country = Australia
fullname = Beau Casson
nickname = Buzz
living = true
dayofbirth = 7
monthofbirth = 12
yearofbirth = 1982
placeofbirth = Subiaco, Western Australia
countryofbirth = Australia
heightft =
heightinch =
heightm = 1.78
batting = Right-hand
bowling = Left-arm Chinaman
role = All rounder
onetest = true
international = true
testdebutdate = 12 June
testdebutyear = 2008
testdebutagainst = West Indies
testc

lasttestdate = 12 June
lasttestyear = 2008
lasttestagainst = West Indies
odidebutdate =
odidebutyear =
odidebutagainst =
odic

lastodidate =
lastodiyear =
lastodiagainst =
odishirt =
club1 = Western Australia
year1 = 2002 – 2006
club2 = New South Wales
year2 = 2006 – present
deliveries = balls
columns = 3
column1 = Test
matches1 = 1
runs1 = 10
bat avg1 = 10.00
100s/50s1 = 0/0
top score1 = 10
deliveries1 = 192
wickets1 = 3
bowl avg1 = 43.00
fivefor1 = 0
tenfor1 = 0
best bowling1 = 3/86
catches/stumpings1 = 2/–
column2 = FC
matches2 = 42
runs2 = 1,274
bat avg2 = 23.59
100s/50s2 = 0/6
top score2 = 99
deliveries2 = 7,514
wickets2 = 110
bowl avg2 = 40.50
fivefor2 = 4
tenfor2 = 1
best bowling2 = 6/64
catches/stumpings2 = 21/–
column3 = List A
matches3 = 20
runs3 = 47
bat avg3 = 7.83
100s/50s3 = 0/0
top score3 = 18
deliveries3 = 618
wickets3 = 18
bowl avg3 = 28.27
fivefor3 = 0
tenfor3 = n/a
best bowling3 = 4/31
catches/stumpings3 = 3/–
date = 17 September
year = 2008
source = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/26/26611/26611.html CricketArchive

Beau Casson (born 7 December 1982 in Subiaco, Western Australia) is an Australian cricketer who plays for the New South Wales Blues. Casson previously played for Western Australia between 2002 and 2006 and has represented Australia at Test cricket. Primarily a left arm wrist spinner, Casson is also capable with the bat and has a highest First-class score of 99.

Early and personal life

Casson was born and grew up in the Perth suburb of Subiaco, Western Australia as one of seven children. [http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/casson-coming-out-of-the-shadows/2008/05/09/1210131268265.html?page=fullpage Casson coming out of the shadows] The Age. Retrieved 11 June 2008] He began bowling leg-spin as a child after watching Shane Warne, citing him as a major influence in his career. [http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/casson-coming-out-of-the-shadows/2008/05/09/1210131268265.html?page=fullpage Casson coming out of the shadows] The Age. Retrieved 11 June 2008] Casson was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect for which he has undergone three-open heart surgeries. [http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/beau-casson--plenty-of-ticker/2008/06/05/1212259008344.html Beau Casson - Plenty of ticker] The Age. Retrieved 11 June 2008] As a result of his condition he works to a slightly modified training program and is monitored regularly, otherwise it is inconsequential to his cricketing abilities. [http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/beau-casson--plenty-of-ticker/2008/06/05/1212259008344.html Beau Casson - Plenty of ticker] The Age. Retrieved 11 June 2008]

Junior career

A talented junior cricketer, Casson represented the Australian U-19 cricket team in Youth Test and One Day International matches between 2001 and 2002. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Players/26/26611/Youth_Test_Matches.html Youth Test Matches played by Beau Casson (3)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 12 June 2008] [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Players/26/26611/Youth_One-Day_International_Matches.html Youth One-Day International Matches played by Beau Casson (8)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 12 June 2008] He was a vital part of the Australian Under 19 team that won the 2002 Under 19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/97870.html Australian team for 2002 ICC Under-19 World Cup announced] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 June 2008] taking 12 wickets at 15.08 in 6 matches. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/NZ/ICC_Under-19_World_Cup_2001-02/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in ICC Under-19 World Cup 2001/02 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 11 June 2008] He was also a part of the Youth Test team that took on the Sri Lankan U-19 cricket team at Perth and Adelaide in 2001. Australia swept the series 3-0 and Casson performed solidly taking 8 wickets at 17.37 with best figures of 5/52. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/Sri_Lanka_Under-19s_in_Australia_2000-01/ut_Australia_Under-19s_Bowling.html Under-19 Test Bowling for Australia Under-19s Sri Lanka Under-19s in Australia 2000/01] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 11 June 2008]

Casson has also represented Western Australia at all junior levels, from playing in their Under 17 team in 1999 to their Under 19 team in 2001. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Players/26/26611/Other_matches.html Other matches played by Beau Casson (84)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 12 June 2008] He is also a multiple graduate of the Australian Cricket Academy, being a part of the Academy intake in 2001, 2002 and 2006.

Domestic career

Since 2002 Casson has represented both New South Wales and Western Australia in First-class, List A and Twenty20 cricket.

Western Australia

As a junior, Casson competed for the Western Australian Under 17 and 19 teams as well as their Second XI team, however it wasn't until the 2002-03 season when he won his first full state contract. [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wivaus/content/story/118159.html Callum Thorp joins warriors squad] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 June 2008] Prior to making his senior first-class debut, Casson also played for a Western Australian XI that took on the travelling English cricket team, taking the wicket of James Foster and finishing with figures of 1/32. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/101/101870.html Western Australia v England XI] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] With seven of Western Australia's players away on international duties, [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wivaus/content/story/113526.html Opportunity knocks for young Warriors] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 June 2008] Casson made his first-class debut on 8 December 2003 against Tasmania at the WACA Ground. [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/75/75947.html Western Australia v Tasmania - Pura Cup 2002/03] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] He had a quiet debut with the ball, taking 0/44 in Tasmania's first innings, but had a solid showing with the bat, scoring 35 runs in Western Australia's second innings. [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/75/75947.html Western Australia v Tasmania - Pura Cup 2002/03] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] Casson, however, had an excellent second first-class match as he tore through South Australia's batting line-up to finish with figures of 6/64 in the first innings of the game. He went on to take 10 wickets for the match and was named Man of the Match for the first time in his senior career. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/76/76077.html South Australia v Western Australia - Pura Cup 2002/03] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] Casson played the remaining games of the Pura Cup for Western Australia, however he faded with the ball towards the end of the season, finishing with 17 wickets at 39.35. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/Pura_Cup_2002-03/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in Pura Cup 2002/03 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] The 2002-03 season also saw Casson make his List A debut on 10 January 2003 against Victoria at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/76/76263.html Victoria v Western Australia - ING Cup 2002/03] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] He failed to take a wicket on debut, and in the 3 other matches he played in the ING Cup season. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/ING_Cup_2002-03/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in ING Cup 2002/03 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008]

Casson had a solid second season for Western Australia, taking 17 wickets at 34.11 in the Pura Cup and 4 wickets at 33.50 in the ING Cup, [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/Pura_Cup_2003-04/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in Pura Cup 2003/04 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/ING_Cup_2003-04/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in ING Cup 2003/04 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] however he missed part of the season due to strained ligaments in his bowling hand. [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wivaus/content/story/136657.html Casson returns to action] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 June 2008] After recovering from his hand injury, Casson had mixed fortunes in the 2004-05 Australian season. He struggled with the ball and bat in the 2004-05 Pura Cup season, taking 9 wickets at an average of 40.33 and scoring 36 runs at an average of 9.00. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/Pura_Cup_2004-05/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in ING Cup 2004/05 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/Pura_Cup_2004-05/Batting_by_Average.html Batting and Fielding in Pura Cup 2004/05 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] In contrast, he performed well with the ball in the ING Cup taking 8 wickets at 17.75. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/ING_Cup_2004-05/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in ING Cup 2004/05 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] The 2005-06 season was Casson's last for Western Australia, and he performed poorly, managing 17 wickets at the hefty average of 54.29 in the Pura Cup and only 3 wickets at 41.33 in the ING Cup. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/Pura_Cup_2005-06/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in Pura Cup 2005/06 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/ING_Cup_2005-06/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in ING Cup 2005/06 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008]

In his 4 years with the Warriors, Casson took 71 first-class wickets at 39.38 and 15 List A wickets at 30.20. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/26/26611/f_Bowling_by_Team.html First-class Bowling For Each Team by Beau Casson] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/26/26611/a_Bowling_by_Team.html ListA Bowling For Each Team by Beau Casson] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008]

New South Wales

In May 2006, Casson announced he was making a move east to play for the New South Wales Blues. [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wivaus/content/story/246454.html Casson trades in Perth for Sydney] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 June 2008] While Western Australia tried desperately hard to keep him, Casson felt that bowling on the more traditionally spin-friendly pitches of the Sydney Cricket Ground would help his career. [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wivaus/content/story/246454.html Casson trades in Perth for Sydney] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 June 2008] There was initially some controversy over Casson's move, as Western Australia claimed that New South Wales had breached the transfer laws in signing him. Cricket Australia, however ruled that his transfer was lawful and Casson was cleared to play for New South Wales. [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wivaus/content/story/248751.html Casson cleared for move to New South Wales] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 June 2008]

While there were doubts over whether Casson would be able to hold down a permanent place in the New South Wales team with four other spinners in the squad, [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wivaus/content/story/249098.html NSW name spin-friendly contract squad] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 June 2008] he managed to play 7 matches in his first season with the Blues. Despite this, he had a very poor first season, taking only 7 wickets at an average of 72.00, [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/Pura_Cup_2006-07/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in Pura Cup 2006/07 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] however his form was not helped by a shoulder injury that eventually required reconstructive surgery. [ [http://www.livenews.com.au/articles/2008/04/01/MacGills_injury_was_Cassons_lucky_break MacGill's Injury Was Casson's Lucky Break] Live News. Retrieved 17 June 2008] Coming back from shoulder injury, Casson had an excellent 2007-08 Pura Cup season. Playing 9 matches in the season, he took 29 wickets at an average of 35.13 and scored 485 runs at 60.62. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/Pura_Cup_2007-08/Batting_by_Average.html Batting and Fielding in Pura Cup 2007/08 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/AUS/Pura_Cup_2007-08/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in Pura Cup 2007/08 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] His season included a career top score of 99 off 180 balls against South Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground and he played a vital role in the Blues' 2007-08 Pura Cup final win. [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australiandomestic/engine/match/298342.html New South Wales v South Australia - Pura Cup] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 June 2008] After scoring 89 in a state record seventh wicket stand with Brett Lee, [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wivaus/content/story/342926.html Lee's 97 puts Blues on the brink] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 June 2008] he took 4 wickets in Victoria's unsuccessful run chase, including the final wicket that won the Cup for New South Wales. [ [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/124/124285.html New South Wales v Victoria] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 June 2008] His strong season was rewarded as he was given his first Cricket Australia contract on 9 April 2008. [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/345640.html Bollinger and Marsh receive contracts] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 June 2008]

Despite performing well in first-class cricket, Casson has struggled to make the New South Wales One Day side with Nathan Hauritz being the first choice List A spinner for the Blues. Since his move to New South Wales, Casson has only played 1 List A game and 2 Twenty20 matches.

International career

On 1 April 2008, Casson was named in Australia's Test squad for the tour of the West Indies as a back up for Stuart MacGill. [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wivaus/content/story/344628.html Casson picked for West Indies tour] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 June 2008] After the retirement of MacGill following the Second Test in Antigua, Casson was named in the Australian team for the final Test in Barbados. [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wivaus/content/story/354316.html Australia pick Casson for third Test] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 June 2008] His Test debut came on 12 June 2008 at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown against the West Indies, making him the 401st man to play Test cricket for Australia. Despite going wicket-less in his first innings of the match, he picked up vital wickets in the final innings, taking 3/86. His first Test wicket was that of Xavier Marshall, caught at short leg by Phil Jaques for 85. [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wivaus/engine/match/319141.html West Indies v Australia - The Frank Worrell Trophy - 3rd Test] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 June 2008]

External links

* [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/4825.html Cricinfo profile on Beau Casson]
* [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/26/26611/26611.html Cricket Archive profile on Beau Casson]

References