Mark Higgs

Like his former New South Wales team-mate Brad Haddin, Mark Higgs initially represented the Australian Capital Territory in domestic competition before he was lured to Sydney in 1998-99. An accomplished slow left-arm bowler and an aggressive strokemaker, he made an immediate impression with the Canberra Comets, clubbing a powerful 36 and snaring three wickets as the side embarked on its history-making entry to Mercantile Mutual Cup competition in 1997-98. Opportunities proved harder to come by in Sydney, where the intense battle for places in the state team initially left him beating a regular path in and out of the eleven. However, a good finish to the 1999-2000 season impressed judges in high places, and he was a shock replacement for the injured Shane Warne for the ICC KnockOut tournament in Kenya. He remained on the sidelines as Australia made an early exit from the tournament, but the investment of faith provided an important fillip for the 2000-01 domestic season, during which he proceeded to produce a number of eye-catching performances. A spanking unbeaten 181 that set up an emphatic Pura Cup victory over Queensland and a haul of 4 for 15 in a Mercantile Mutual Cup success over Western Australia were the most indicative of his impact. Chances again became limited and he moved to South Australia in 2002-03, welcoming himself with a century on debut and enjoying a strong first season. After that his wrist spin became dominated by orthodox variations and his batting spluttered, allowing him only one-day appearances over the past two seasons and leading to him losing his contract.
Cricinfo staff June 2006