Campbell Kellaway’s path to breaking into the Victorian Shield squad

Victoria have included three premier cricket young guns in its Sheffield Shield 12-player squad with “at least two” set to make their debuts on the MCG.

Victorian youngster Campbell Kellaway is set to make his first-class debut on Thursday against Tasmania following his call-up to the 12-player state squad.

The 20-year-old has had a brilliant start to the season and is looking likely to debut as Victoria look to strengthen their batting after being bowled out for 63 and 132 in its last Shield clash against Queensland.

Peter Handscomb and Marcus Harris will miss the clash due to national commitments, making it vital for Victoria’s next in-line players to fill the void and help produce a strong performance in the first game at the MCG this season.

Kellaway could be one of three players in the Shield squad to make their first-class debuts as uncapped players Sam Elliott, 22, and Jack Prestwidge, 24, could also play.

“Missing those players provides an opportunity for others, Sam, Campbell and Jack all offer different skill sets but have all equally impressed through Second XI or Premier Cricket performances,” Cricket Victoria‘s Head of Male Cricket, David Hussey said.

“All three have played a part in our Marsh Cup campaign and we look forward to at least two of them making their Sheffield Shield debut.”

Bowlers Todd Murphy (Prime Minister’s XI) and Scott Boland (Test squad) are also out of the match due national commitments.

Jono Merlo has taken a short break from the game due to personal reasons and is currently unavailable for selection and Mich Perry has been omitted.

Victorian Sheffield Shield Squad: Nic Maddinson, Ashley Chandrasinghe, Travis Dean, Sam Elliott, Sam Harper, Jon Holland, Campbell Kellaway, Cameron McClure, Fergus O’Neill, Jack Prestwidge, Matt Short, Will Sutherland.

Kellaway’s path to breaking into the Victorian Shield squad

Kellaway scored 110 in his first second XI game of the season against Queensland and followed it up with 71 in the second innings.

He then began the Victorian premier cricket season for Melbourne with 42 before scoring 17 and 65 in the next second XI match.

Heading back to premier cricket that weekend, he scored a run-a-ball century of 133 and 51 and was later called up to the Victorian one-day squad where he made his debut two days later and top scored with 34.

Campbell Kellaway of Victoria after receiving his cap before the one-day match between Queensland and Victoria at Allan Border Field, on November 15, 2022, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

On Saturday, he made it into the Premier Cricket Team of the Week after belting a rapid 83 off 69 balls against Kingston Hawthorn.

Now Kellaway has been selected in the Victorian Sheffield Shield squad after a stunning start to the season and a mountain of work and performances to reach this point.

Kellaway represented Australia at the under 19 World Cup in the West Indies at the start of the year.

Before the tournament, he spent the winter in Darwin playing in the inaugural cricket 365 competition for the City Cyclones.

He also played underage cricket for Victoria in under 17s and 19s.

The youngster played in the APS cricket competition for Caulfield Grammar where he also contemplated an AFL footy career.

During winter this year, Kellaway spent time in Darwin again but this time as a Victorian rookie contracted player, where he played with the Melbourne Renegades in a Top End T20 tournament.

The exciting talented could also be in line for a Big Bash contract this summer.