Victoria will consider making the “extremely difficult” call to leave out one of their four marquee quicks from the side to face New South Wales in this weeks Sheffield Shield final.
While batsman Nic Maddinson has been ruled out of the match because of a broken wrist, the Vics are set to weigh up whether to play five bowlers in the match or squeeze out one of James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Chris Tremain or Scott Boland.
Strike force: James Pattinson and Peter Siddle celebrate a wicker for the Bushrangers against South Australia last week.Credit:AAP
Chairman of selectors Andrew Lynch said Victoria would likely name a 13 or 14 man squad on Monday before trimming down to XI ahead the five day final at Junction Oval, which begins on Thursday.
“Weve got training on Tuesday. Well probably release a squad of 13 or 14 tomorrow and then reduce that over the next couple of days down to 12, and then pick our 12th man on the morning of the game,” Lynch said on Sunday.
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Maddinson, who has had an outstanding back of the season after moving to Melbourne from Sydney last year, was hurt during the Vics win over South Australia in Adelaide last week.
While it was initially hoped that the batsman could recover in time to play in the final, he was declared unavailable to take on his former state, and will need surgery to repair his injury.
Glancing blow: Nic Maddinson has been ruled out of playing in the Shield final for Victoria after being injured.Credit:AAP
Lynch said that Maddinson could have played but would have risked permanent damage if hit again so soon.
With Maddinson out, veteran batsman Cameron White is set to feature in what could be his final match for the state.
White, Victorias longest-serving captain, is out of contract at the end of the season but could go out on a high, playing off for his sixth Shield title.
“He was in the mix even before Maddinson got injured on the basis of [us playing] an extra bowler against South Australia, as we only went with five batsmen and [Seb] Gotch batting at six,” Lynch said of White.
Toss up: Victorian quicks Chris Tremain and Scott Boland will be hoping to retain their place in the Bushrangers eleven.Credit:AAP
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