MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 20: Peter Handscomb of Victoria celebrates scoring a double century during the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Western Australia at CitiPower Centre, on October 20, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images) (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)
Allrounder Will Sutherland has been named the new captain of Victoria in the Sheffield Shield in the absence of Peter Handscomb.
The emerging 23-year-old was awarded the leadership position after a successful campaign this season and during the summer of 2021-22. This includes becoming Victoria's leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets to his name and scoring a century with the bat.
Sutherland is also coming off the back of a successful BBL tournament where he played for the Melbourne Renegades. Unfortunate to lose to Brisbane Heat in the finals, he helped break their finals dough alongside statesman Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris. The latter of whom will become captain of the Marsh One-Day Cup side.
For the Renegades, Sutherland competed in 14 games, scoring 201 with an average of 30 and a strike rate of 150.00. Also dangerous with the ball he took seven wickets at a strike rate of 38.29 and held an economy rate of 8.42.
In his new role as Head of Male Cricket, David Hussey spoke to the media about Will Sutherland.
"We wish Pete, Scott and Todd well in India, (and) while we'll miss them it does present opportunities for others," Hussey said.
"Will Sutherland is an emerging leader in the Victorian squad and we're thrilled to give him the opportunity to captain his state while Pete is away."
Sutherland will captain his first match on Thursday, February 9 when Victoria takes on Queensland at the Junction Oval. Sitting fourth on the table, Victoria will still be without Will Pucovski and Glenn Maxwell along with their international players.