The Victorian men's cricket team has announced its travelling squad for this week's day-night Sheffield Shield match against the Queensland Bulls.
The competition's ladder-leaders will be bolstered by the return of Australian representative, Matt Short, who is set to play his first domestic match of the 2024/2025 season.
Victoria will enter the four-day contest focused on building on their momentum following the side's convincing Round 4 victory over reigning champions, Western Australia.
In what was a full-squad performance, Victoria was exceptionally led by the experience of Captain Peter Handscomb and Marcus Harris (56 not out each) in the second-innings, while Xavier Crone (3 wickets and 62 not out), Todd Murphy (5 wickets), Sam Elliott (4 wickets) and Fergus O'Neill (6 wickets and 44 runs) all impressed with both ball and bat.
O'Neill has hit the ground running in season 2024/2025, taking 13 wickets from just three matches at an outstanding 18.15 runs per wicket.
Speaking to the media earlier in the week, the twenty-three-year-old said Victoria was determined to put in another good performance on Sunday.
"While there's a lot to work on, we're very happy where we're at right now," said O'Neill.
"It's very rare to beat Western Australia twice in a week, so we're loving that. We toiled away but found a way to win, so that's great and says a lot about the group moving forward.
"I've been working on up-skilling this off-season. With the new ball I've got a lot in my favour, but to be able to impact with the older ball whether it's with IQ or just trying to find a way, that's an area I'm looking to grow in and something that will really help what we're trying to achieve this season."
With back-to-back Shield matches against the Bulls across the next fortnight, it shapes as a crucial period for Victoria's title aspirations.
Day 4 of this round's Shield match will also represent the ten-year anniversary of Phil Hughes' passing.As a sign of respect, all Victorian players will be wearing black arm bands during the match.
Victoria faces the Queensland Bulls at the Gabba in Round 5 of the Sheffield Shield with the match getting underway at 3pm AEDT on November 24 - 27. The match can be seen on Kayo Sports and cricket.com.au
Victorian Travelling Squad vs Queensland Bulls
1. Peter Handscomb (St Kilda) (c)
2. Ash Chandrasinghe (Casey-South Melbourne)
3. Xavier Crone (Carlton)
4. Sam Elliott (Fitzroy Doncaster)
5. Sam Harper (Melbourne)
6. Marcus Harris (St Kilda)
7. Campbell Kellaway (Melbourne)
8. Jon Merlo (St Kilda)
9. Todd Murphy (St Kilda)
10. Fergus O'Neill (Melbourne)
11. Tom Rogers (Ringwood)
12. Matthew Short (Northcote)
13. Peter Siddle (Dandenong)
