Predicted: Victoria’s Sheffield Shield team in five years
There's plenty of exciting young talent coming through the Victorian cricket ranks. Now we've tried to piece together how the state's Sheffield Shield team will look in five years.
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This is one for the time capsule, to be reopened in 2028.
Local Cricket reporters Max Hatzoglou, Tyler Lewis, Ben Higgins and Simon McEvoy have come together to try and pick how the Victorian cricket side will look like in five years.
It’s a real throw at the stumps.
There was plenty of debate as the scribes formulated an XI with the ability to take the Vics to yet another Shield title.
Starting with the batters, all agreed Will Pucovski would lead the batting order.
He will be 29 by 2028, and hopefully an established Australian player. We also felt he was the right man to captain this side.
Casey South Melbourne left hander Ashley Chandrasinghe will open with Puc.
Young St Kilda batsman Harry Dixon and Melbourne’s Harry Demattia were also in discussions.
Impressive young left-hander Campbell Kellaway was named to bat at No 3; he’s got a huge future in Australian cricket.
The wicketkeeping position was interesting. A bunch of names were thrown up, with Geelong’s Liam Blackford, Melbourne’s Xander Buxton and Jai Lemire (Carlton) in the frame. But in the end, the current Vic gloveman Sam Harper got the nod.
A spinner? That’s a no-brainer. Todd Murphy gets that gig.
As for pace bowlers, Will Sutherland, Sam Elliott and Fergus O’Neill provide the firepower.
Brody Couch and Mitch Perry were also in discussions.
So, selectors have decided.
Here is our Vic side in 2028:
1. Will Pucovski (Melbourne, captain)
The brilliant right-hander, who scored 62 on Test debut, would be the perfect man to face the new rock in 2028, when he would be at his peak at 29. He picks himself. Very knowledgeable with leadership traits.
2. Ashley Chandrasinghe (Casey South Melbourne)
The stylish left-hander scored a century on debut for the Victoria. He has proven also proven himself in the toughest of conditions.
3. Campbell Kellaway (Melbourne)
Many believe the talented left-hander, who scored an unbeaten century against South Africa’s formidable pace attack in a Cricket Australia XI tour match in December, is a future Australian player. Looks the perfect choice to bat at No 3 for the Vics.
4. Jake Fraser-McGurk (Richmond)
Grabbed headlines with a half-century on debut for the Vics as an 18-year-old. A natural talent with huge potential. If he can put it all together, look out!
5. Harrish Kannan (Casey South Melbourne)
Still eligible for the under-19s, the left-hander scored 540 runs for Casey South Melbourne last season to finish 12th on the runs list in Premier Cricket. Bowls off-spin, too.
6. Ollie Peake (Geelong)
The 16-year-old batsman has excelled at school and club level, earning selection in the Victorian under-17 and unedr-19 sides. Would slot in nicely at No 6 – the apprentice position – in 2028.
7. Sam Harper (Melbourne)
The current Victorian gloveman will still be a key member of side in 2028.
8. Will Sutherland (Prahran, vice-captain)
The paceman and hard-hitting batsman will be hitting his peak in five years’ time, the perfect man to fill the all-rounder position.
9. Fergus O’Neill (Melbourne)
A genuine all-rounder who has made an excellent start to his first-class career. Will only get better.
10. Todd Murphy (St Kilda)
A lock. The bespectacled off-spinner has rocketed through the ranks and is off to India with the Australian test squad.
11. Sam Elliott (Fitzroy Doncaster)
The tall paceman has all the attributes to head up the Vics’ attack.
12th man — Mitch Perry (Richmond)
The seamer averaged 29 with the ball last season and he plays on a “road’’.
IN THE FRAME …
Harry Dixon (St Kilda)
Will turn into a star player. At the moment he just hasn’t quite converted at Premier Cricket level. Made a big century at under-19 level for Victoria.
Dylan Brasher (Footscray)
Still only 21 and proving he can play long and make big scores having burst onto the scene as a dashing opener. Plenty of competition at the top of the order but more than capable of forcing his way into the team.
Xander Buxton (Melbourne)
The young Melbourne batsman-keeper is doing everything right early in his career.
Mackenzie Harvey (Carlton)
Hugely talented batsman who is sure to be one of Victoria’s leading players for many years to come.
Harry Demattia (Melbourne)
The teenage batter shapes as a star of the future. Highly rated, so much so that he was a waterboy for the Australian side in the Boxing Day Test.
Mitch Jamieson (Footscray)
The Footscray No 5 oozes talent. Captain Victoria’s under-19 side and dominated his Dowling Shield year.
Harry Flynn (Ringwood)
Promising youngster who made his debut for Ringwood earlier this season
Liam Blackford (Geelong)
Probably stiff to miss out on the side, with Sam Harper beating him to the keeper position. But the Victorian under-19s captain has undoubtedly got a huge future and can look forward to first-class cricket in the future.
Joel Lewis (Kingston Hawthorn)
The Kingston Hawthorn gloveman is having an excellent season.
Jai Lemire (Carlton)
A real talent with the bat and behind the stumps, honing his craft in the strong Carlton side.
Jordan Buckingham (South Australia)
The Melbourne boy travelled interstate for opportunity but the lure of home could still see him pull on the Big V in the future.
Brodie Symons (Frankston Peninsula)
Bowls pace and bats well. A genuine all-rounder who deserves a crack.
Xavier Scott (Prahran)
Only 17 but keeping wickets in Prahran’s First XI. One to watch.
Reilly Mark (Richmond)
Super talented off-spinner.
Lucas Brasher (Carlton)
Only 15 but the left-arm “chinaman’’ is already playing Premier ones with Carlton. Big future.
Shobit Singh (Richmond)
The Richmond batter is similar to Ash Chandrasinghe. Can bat long periods of time. Hard to dismiss, disciplined and very good in the field.
Cam McClure (Essendon)
Tall fast bowler, taken 11 wickets in his five FC matches to date, has the ability to be the bodyline type of bowler if need be.
Jack Lalor (Northcote)
If he can improve his batting he would be in the mix for the side. Gun fielder.
Brody Couch (Geelong)
Fast bowler who swings the ball and has had a taste of Shield cricket.
Did we miss anyone? Let us know in the comments.
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