THE 2022/23 Marsh One-Day Cup has kicked off its fixture, with six states locking horns around the country over the coming months.

The Marsh Cup has proven to be a strong pathway for rising Australian cricket stars, and that trend is set to continue in the upcoming season. There are a number of talented youngsters that are set to work on and improve their craft in the 2022/23 fixture.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be keeping an eye on the competition’s young guns, and putting one performance under the microscope.

Kicking off the series is Victorian all-rounder Will Sutherland, who played a key role in Victoria’s two matches over the weekend.

Will Sutherland

vs. NSW – 1/54 (10 overs), DNB
vs. Western Australia – 2/54 (10 overs), 24 runs (25 balls)

While it was not the most economical weekend from Sutherland, his impact could not be ignored and he managed to go at under a run a ball.

Against New South Wales in the season opener, he was able to goad the opposition batsmen into playing poor shots, with his slower ball often finding its way to the keeper. He was finally able to draw his first wicket, against a dangerous member of the NSW batting order too.

Experienced campaigner Moises Henriques was building towards a strong innings, before attempting a pull shot on one of Sutherland’s deliveries, which was caught by fellow Victorian youngster Will Pucovski.

He was not required to bat at eight as the result was decided by then, but his dismissal of Henriques was a pivotal moment of the game. Victoria snatched the points three-down via the Duckworth-Lewis method, with Matt Short hitting a decisive six off the final ball.

Victoria batted first against Western Australia the following day, and Sutherland was required at the crease this time around.

He came in after the dismissal of Jake Fraser-McGurk and took a few balls to get going. Sutherland got on the board with an impressive cut shot down leg side, and took a risky double. He looked at his best when taking on WA spin bowler D’Arcy Short, highlighted by a massive six off the front foot, sending a message to the opposition bowling attack. He found the boundary two more times, before trying to flick one off the pads to the leg side boundary, but the shot fell short and was caught.

When Western Australia went out to bat, its openers got off to a flyer, punishing any Victorian deliveries that came their way as Josh Philippe racked up a ton, and Short looked likely to do the same.

Sutherland came into the attack for his sixth over, but began his spell with a delivery that was too short, as Short took a single. However, he produced the breakthrough wicket the following ball, drawing an edge down leg-side from Philippe, which carried to the keeper for Victoria’s first wicket.

His second wicket came in similar fashion, drawing an edge from Ashton Turner after threatening to do so in his deliveries prior. His ability to get some out-swing was crucial in the dismissal of the WA batsmen, and while Victoria were defeated, Sutherland’s performance was one positive for his side.