VICTORIAN young gun Will Sutherland produced quite a breakout performance in the Sheffield Shield on the weekend, delivering with both bat and ball as he almost dragged his side over the line against the South Australia Redbacks.

Sutherland had been touted as one of the brightest young talents in Australian cricket, and took those claims to the next level against the Redbacks, producing a first class ton in excellent fashion, while also tormenting the South Australians with ball in hand, conjuring wickets when others could not.

Already experiencing some exposure at the top level, Sutherland sent a message to Australian selectors with this outing. Not renowned for his damage, the 2021 Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year stunned everyone with a composed knock, and looks set for a breakout summer.

Will Sutherland vs. South Australia Redbacks

First Innings – 100 (168 balls), 4/45 (15.5 overs)

When Sutherland came out to the crease, the Redbacks were in a bit of strife at 5/92 and looking dangerously close to collapsing entirely. However, he showed some great poise to work his way into the game, and not concede an easy wicket. He played defensive to start his time with bat in hand, getting a read on the pitch and fielding set up. He let Marcus Harris take many of the deliveries, given the opener was in fine form and on track for a ton of his own, before falling on 85.

Suddenly, Sutherland was the number one man at the crease, and his style of play reflected the change in mindset. His shots began to be much more attacking, finding the boundary down off-side by using the strength in his arms more so than through his legs. Sutherland was not afraid to change up his shot selection, even whipping out a reverse sweep and picking holes in the field with ease. He brought up his ton with a quick single down leg-side, celebrating in style as he brought Victoria back on track.

Sutherland was unfortunately dismissed bang on 100, bowled by Jordan Buckingham, but his efforts had put his side back on track.

The Redbacks headed out to the crease trailing by 310 runs, and Sutherland was once again a thorn in their side. He took the catch that sent South Australian opener Jake Weatherald packing on a duck, and did the most damage of any Victorian bowler in the first innings. His first scalp came in the form of Jake Lehman, whose promising knock came to an end when he was forced into an awkward poke shot by Sutherland. While it looked as if the Redbacks had got on top of his deliveries, Sutherland produced the final three wickets of the game, all of which came about from his relentless line and length, with a few drawing costly edges from the South Australian batsmen.

It was a powerful innings from Sutherland, one that would have been noticed by the test selectors, so it could be a sliding doors moment in the young man’s career.