Paceman Sam Elliott is among a number of bowlers battling to cement a spot in Victoria’s side for next month’s Sheffield Shield final. Test quick Scott Boland‘s return from Australia’s triumphant Ashes series has made Victoria’s bowling attack even stronger and created a huge selection squeeze for the ladder-leading Vics.
Boland took eight wickets for the match in last week’s big win over Western Australia which earned Victoria hosting rights for the Sheffield Shield final, with two games to spare. The Vics have the luxury of being able to rest the Test seamer for their next match against Tasmania, but he’s expected to return for the clash with South Australia and is a certainty to play in the final, provided he’s fit.
Test quick Scott Boland’s (L) return for Victoria has sparked a selection squeeze ahead of next month’s Sheffield Shield final, with Sam Elliott (R) among those battling to cement a spot. Pic: Getty
It leaves Victoria with four other bowling or all-rounder spots in their best 11, with Elliott, Mitch Perry and Fergus O’Neill competing for the chance to partner Boland in the pace attack. Elliott is the son of former Aussie Test opening batter Matthew, and is Victoria’s leading wicket-taker (28) in the Shield this season, with Perry (25) and O’Neill (24) also in the top-10.
But he or one of the other pacemen faces the possibility of being axed for the Shield final at Junction Oval from March 26. All-rounder and captain Will Sutherland looks to have cemented his spot with an unbeaten first innings century and four wickets for the match against WA last week. While Test spinner Todd Murphy has been an automatic selection for the Vics when available.
Sam Elliott is one of several bowlers battling to cement a spot in Victoria’s side ahead of next month’s Sheffield Shield final. Pic: Getty
(Paul Kane via Getty Images)Victoria selection squeeze ramping up ahead of Shield final
It leaves one of Elliott, Perry or O’Neill as the seamer most likely to lose their spot in Victoria’s attack. All-rounder Perry was the unlucky man to miss out against WA last week. And competition is also ramping up for spots in Victoria’s batting order, with a recent head knock for Ollie Peake opening the door for Marcus Harris to return from a back injury.
Peake was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the helmet against WA last week, and experienced some delayed concussion symptoms in the proceeding days despite passing an initial test. Harris has not played for Victoria since having back surgery in December. But provided the former Test star gets through a hit-out with Premier Cricket side St Kilda this Saturday he’ll be in the frame to return for Victoria.
Marcus Harris will be in line to return to Victoria’s Sheffield Shield squad if he comes through Saturday’s match with St Kilda. Pic: Getty
(Robert Cianflone via Getty Images)
Victoria coach Chris Rogers admits the selection squeeze “is going to be a challenge” in the coming days and weeks. “I have read a couple of players’ comments (in the media) and they understand the challenges that are ahead,” he said.
“People have their eyes wide open… there are going to be some very disappointed people but as we keep saying, we can’t fit more than XI into an XI. That’s just the reality.”
Victoria have an unassailable 16-point lead over second-placed Queensland on the Shield table. But the Bulls are one of four teams along with South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales, who have a chance to book a date against Victoria in next month’s final.
with agencies