Victoria vs Queensland, Sheffield Shield, Today Match Prediction 09 February 2023

vic vs queens Match Prediction & Analysis

Victoria will be eying a win at home as they take on Queensland in the 19th game of the Sheffield Shield 2022-23. Victoria had won just one game during the first leg of the season. Queensland has done well and is second on the points table. The side will like to take a step closer to a berth in the final by winning this game.  

Victoria has won only once this season, and most players have struggled with form and consistency. Their record at this venue has been poor in the last few games, and the players shall have that in their minds. Queensland won the last game between the two teams, and they will like to draw inspiration from that win.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Victoria Preview

Peter Handscomb is on the India tour with the national team, and Will Sutherland will replace him as the skipper. The side has had a poor season winning just one game so far. They had lost against Queensland earlier, which would be a tough battle at home. Sutherland shall like to see a good show from his players and make a fresh start to move up on the points table.  

They are missing several key players, and the team will need a good start in this game from Ashley Chandrasinghe and Travis Dean. Marcus Harris must do well at No. 3 and would like to anchor the innings along with Nic Maddinson and Campbell Kellaway. Sutherland and Sam Harper are good players down the order, and they must come up with their contributions in this game.  

They have a strong batting line-up, and the team will expect Fergus O’Neill and Samuel Elliott to use the new ball well in this game. Sutherland shall have to put his experience to good use and bowl good lines alongside Jon Holland. Todd Murphy shall have to do well in his role as the fifth bowler. 

Victoria Predicted Playing XI:

Will Sutherland (c), Ashley Chandrasinghe, Travis Dean, Nic Maddinson, Campbell Kellaway, Marcus Harris, Sam Harper (wk), Fergus O Neill, Samuel Elliott, Todd Murphy, Jon Holland

Queensland Preview

Jimmy Peirson shall lead the side in the absence of Usman Khawaja, who is with the national team. Queensland would miss four key players in this game, and Pierson has to make the most out of his resources. They are second on the points table, and a win here would take them a step closer to the final.  

Max Bryant and Bryce Street must put runs on the board at the top. The side is missing its regular openers, and they have big responsibilities on their shoulders. Sam Truloff has done well, and he must build partnerships with Jack Clayton and Jimmy Peirson in the middle order. Michael Neser and Joe Burns add to the side’s strength with the bat down the order.    

Michael Neser and Mark Steketee shall have to bowl good spells at the start and put the Victorians under pressure. Gurinder Sandhu shall have an important role once the ball gets old and soft. The side will also expect good spells from Xavier Bartlett and James Bazley in this game. 

Queensland Predicted Playing XI:

Jimmy Peirson (c & wk), Joe Burns, Max Bryant, Bryce Street, Jack Clayton, Sam Truloff, Michael Neser, Gurinder Sandhu, James Bazley, Mark Steketee, Xavier Bartlett

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The skies over Melbourne would be overcast on all four days of the game. The wicket has been a tough one to bat this season. Batsmen need to play to the merit of the ball to do well at this venue. A score of 350 runs would be a good score in the 1st innings of the game.

Venue Details

The pitch at MCG has historically been a good one for batsmen who look to play the waiting game. Fast bowlers have also done well here, given the bounce and pace they extract from the surface. There isn’t much for the spinners at this venue, and the shorter boundaries make it a challenge for them.

Toss: To Bowl

The conditions would be difficult for batting early in the morning. Fast bowlers would move the ball and make life difficult for the batsmen. Toss is crucial in this game, and the side winning the toss shall have no hesitation in bowling first in the game.