Will Sutherland’s appointment as Victoria captain could have raised eyebrows in some circles however the 23-year-old allrounder has sailed via his first check as skipper with flying colors.
The Vics romped to an enormous 164-run win over Queensland on the MCG on Sunday to kick-start a flagging Sheffield Shield marketing campaign and displace their opponents in second spot on the standings.
Requiring 350 to win, the Bulls not often threatened and after reaching 2-94 crumbled to be all out for 185 simply previous to tea on day 4.
Veteran spinner Jon Holland impressed with 3-24 from 17 overs, whereas Fergus O’Neill picked up 2-28 amongst six totally different wicket-takers for the hosts.
Victoria by no means regarded again after compiling 6-282 on day one earlier than finally posting a 132-run lead after the primary innings.
Sutherland was appointed forward of the extra skilled Marcus Harris, with the opener contributing a match-winning 100 on day one.
Sutherland returned match figures of 5-91 and chipped in with a helpful 26 simply as Queensland sought to battle again late on day one.
“To get a win in my first game as captain, I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Sutherland stated.
“I have certainly loved the captaincy side of things, loved being involved in things all the time, trying to lead the boys and set the example, and they came along with me beautifully.”
The one-sided successful margin was all of the extra noteworthy given Victoria’s many absentees.
Regular skipper Peter Handscomb, in addition to Scott Boland and Todd Murphy, are in India on Test duties, whereas the Vics had been additionally with no host of first-choice batters together with Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell and Will Pucovski.
“So many young boys are chipping in for us and making contributions,” stated Sutherland.
“This is going to be the team that will be carrying us forward for the next two or three years.
“Hopefully we are able to now snowball a bit, construct some momentum and win a pair extra.”
It was a modest display with ball, and especially bat, from a Queensland side who could have put edged closer to a Shield final berth with a win.
“There are a few issues we have to work on popping out of Big Bash to get our season again on observe,” said left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann who was announced as a surprise call-up on Sunday to Australia’s Test squad in India.
“It was a tremendous feeling (to listen to the news) and it was additionally fairly cool to inform the boys in warm-up,” he stated.
“I’m actually excited to recover from there and be a part of the boys.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
