Sheffield Shield: Victoria faces tricky call over injury-plagued captain Will Sutherland

Recurring injuries are playing havoc with Victorian Will Sutherland’s all-round ambitions, and now the Vics face a tough decision on the immediately future of the budding star.

Victoria is facing a delicate selection call over captain Will Sutherland as a longstanding back issue means he is likely to be considered primarily as a batter in the state’s Sheffield Shield opener next week.

The all-rounder, in his second season as the Vics’ full-time first-class captain, has been repeatedly plagued by back issues in recent years.

In 2023 and 2024 he was due to play county cricket with Essex and Somerset respectively but both stints were cancelled as a result of back injury.

While the seamer bowled 13 overs across one-day appearances for Victoria at Junction Oval last week, it’s understood he continues to be carefully managed and is not believed to be ready for major bowling loads in the Shield.

It means Victorian selectors will need to weigh up whether he is worthy of his spot in the team on batting alone for the clash with Tasmania beginning at the Junction on Tuesday.

Sutherland has a first-class century to his name but averages 19.30 with the bat in the format, reaching 50 just once in the Shield last season.

He started the one-day season with 67 runs across two unbeaten innings last week.

Sutherland would need to play as a batter. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

With Sutherland not a serious bowling option and Scott Boland ruled out of round one as he makes his way back from knee trouble, Victoria’s pace depth will be tested.

Fergus O’Neill, Mitch Perry and Peter Siddle were the other primary pace options used by Victoria last season, while Xavier Crone, Sam Elliott and Cam McClure are also on the state’s books. Former WA paceman David Moody, who does not have a contract, is another player likely to come under consideration.

Sutherland, who turns 25 this month, played two one-day internationals for Australia against the West Indies in February but was not considered for the recently-completed tour of the UK because of his back situation.

In an interview with this masthead in August, Sutherland said he was prepared to miss games if Victorian selectors didn’t believe he would provide enough to the team because of his limited bowling capacity.

“If I’m not in good form or putting scores on the board, I’m not gonna say I should be playing when there’s probably better batters that are selectable,” Sutherland said.

Originally published as Sheffield Shield: Victoria faces tricky call over injury-plagued captain Will Sutherland