Skipper's injury gifts Anderson Sheffield Shield debut

Jarred Cross Published February 18, 2026 at 3.00pm (AWST)

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Kamilaroi seamer Charlie Anderson has made his First Class debut after entering NSW's day-night Sheffield Shield contest against Tasmania on Wednesday as an injury replacement player. (Image: Luka Coch/AAP)

Seamer Charlie Anderson has made his first-class debut as a mid-game addition to New South Wales' side against Tasmania in Hobart.

The 21-year-old right-armer entered the XI on Wednesday as an injury replacement for all rounder and skipper Jack Edwards, who was subbed out overnight with a hamstring injury.

Anderson took the ball for the first time in Sheffield Shield opening NSW's attack with Liam Hatcher on Wednesday afternoon.

The Kamilaroi quick's start in Shield comes with the pink ball with Tasmania hosting the visitors in a day-night contest, and with a healthy buffer after NSW built a 200-run first innings lead earlier in the day.

Before he entered the XI, Anderson's side limited Tasmania to a modest total of 136.

Both NSW and Tasmania will be desperate to keep in touch with Queensland, who currently sit second behind a flying Victoria in the standings, amid a tight race for a spot in late March's final.

Anderson was retained his rookie contract with the Blues for the 2025/26 season.

His red-ball debut for his state comes after exposure to international play.

The Central Coast-raised talent featured in Australia's U19s World Cup team in 2024, making his white-ball debut for NSW later that year.

Anderson partnered with Scott Boland against India's touring squad for the Prime Minister's XI ahead of the 2024-25 Test summer before featuring in Cricket Australia XI sides against England Lions for two matches.

He was due to take part in 2024's National Indigenous Cricket Training Camp at the MCG before before his selection in the squad to take on India in Canberra.

*Anderson took 3-fa in his white ball debut for the Blues. (Image: Robert Cianflone-Getty Images)*

"There's amazing players out there in both teams," Anderson said, "so it's pretty cool to not only play against them, but learn off the blokes that I am playing with," he told National Indigenous Times last February.

Anderson was again selected for the PM's XI and CA's XI against touring England seconds sides earlier this summer.

Although limited, First Nations representation in NSW first-class outfits dates back more than a century.

Jack Marsh, remembered and recorded in cricket history as a Bunjdalung fast bowler and multi-sport athlete, debuted for the state in the 1900-1901 season.

According to the Australian Dictionary of Biography, via the Melbourne University Press, Marsh at one time held the competition's best bowling average.

At the tea break in Hobart on Wednesday, Anderson has bowled his first four overs of Shield Cricket, without making a breakthrough, as Tasmania moved to 62 without loss in their second innings.