Victorian Captain Will Sutherland will make his Sheffield Shield return for his side's crucial match against Western Australia in Perth beginning on Saturday
To reach a third Shield final in four seasons, Victoria will be chasing maximum points against WA at the WACA, while also relying on South Australia and Tasmania to defeat both Queensland and NSW respectively.
Victoria will enter the crucial contest welcoming a new name to its bowling attack, with Melbourne Cricket Club's David Moody earning squad selection after his outstanding performances in Premier Cricket and with Victoria's Second XI team.
The 29 year-old is no stranger to the West, having represented WA in 38 matches, taking 112 wickets, which included five 4-wicket hauls and one 5-wicket performance.
Joining Moody in the squad is Peter Siddle, who boasts an impressive WACA track-record in the Victorian lineup.
The duo will combine with Scott Boland and Fergus O'Neill, who have both been exceptional in 2024/25, with Boland capturing 17 wickets since his return from Sri Lanka, while Fergus O'Neill is currently the competitions leading wicket-taker, with 38 scalps for the season.
Meanwhile, youngsters Harry Dixon and Campbell Kellaway will look to continue their strong form, with both players leading the batting for Victoria in the last round.
Kellaway, just 22, top scored for Victoria in both innings, making 79 and 77 runs, taking his total to 564 runs - the second highest for Victoria this season.
While the 20 year-old Harry Dixon, produced a memorable counterattacking 76 in Victoria's second innings against South Australia, including 6 fours and 5 sixes, in just his third first-class match.
Victorian Head Coach, Chris Rogers, said the squad understood the challenge ahead.
"We haven't performed the way we would like over the last four matches and we're determined to get back to style of cricket we know we're very good at. We know the equations around the final so it's just up to us to go to Perth, play smart cricket and put in a solid performance."
"Campbell Kellaway and Harry Dixon have been two emerging success stories for us this season and we're looking forward to what they can do against a strong WA lineup.
"It's been great to see the progress from both players, who are showing great promise at such a young age."
Victoria face Western Australia in Round 10 of the Sheffield Shield at the WACA from March 15 – 18 with play beginning at 1:30 PM (AEDT). The match can be seen live on Kayo Sports and cricket.com.au
VICTORIAN SQUAD:
- Will Sutherland (c) (Prahran)
- Scott Boland (Frankston - Peninsula)
- Harry Dixon (St Kilda)
- Peter Handscomb (St Kilda)
- Sam Harper (Melbourne)
- Marcus Harris (St Kilda)
- Campbell Kellaway (Melbourne)
- Blake MacDonald (St Kilda)
- David Moody (Melbourne)
- Todd Murphy (St Kilda)
- Fergus O'Neill (Melbourne)
- Oliver Peake (Geelong)
- Peter Siddle (Dandenong)
