Heading into Christmas last year, Victoria was staring down the barrel of a bottom-two finish in the Sheffield Shield after failing to record a win in their first five matches.

Fast-forward three months and the Vics found themselves in the Shield final with defending champions Western Australia after storming home to win every match after the January break.

The result was a humbling defeat against the most dominant side of recent years, but the young Victorian side will learn a lot from the experience and appear ready to bounce back even stronger.

With Will Sutherland now taking on the captaincy in Shield cricket following his successful run as stand-in skipper in Peter Handscomb’s absence last season, it seemingly marks the start of a new era for the Vics, led by a brigade of burgeoning young talent.

As they prepare to go one better in 2023/24, let’s see how the Vics are shaping up for this season.

Last Season In Numbers

Sheffield Shield: Runners-Up (5 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses)

Leading Run-Scorers:
Peter Handscomb (634 runs at 70.44)
Matt Short (623 runs at 41.53)
Marcus Harris (601 runs at 37.56)

Leading Wicket-Takers:
Will Sutherland (41 wickets at 19.92)
Mitch Perry (29 wickets at 25.89)
Fergus O’Neill (27 wickets at 24.92)

One-Day Cup: 3rd on ladder (3 wins, 4 losses)

Leading Run-Scorers:
Marcus Harris (315 runs at 63.00)
Matt Short (301 runs at 60.20)
Peter Handscomb (169 runs at 42.25)

Leading Wicket-Takers:
Will Sutherland (9 wickets at 33.44)
Jack Prestwidge (7 wickets at 24.42)
Scott Boland (6 wickets at 29.83)

Victoria 2023-24 squad: Scott Boland*, Ashley Chandrasinghe, Xavier Crone, Travis Dean, Sam Elliott, Matt Fotia, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris*, Campbell Kellaway, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell*, Cameron McClure, Jono Merlo, Todd Murphy*, Tom O’Donnell, Fergus O’Neill, Wil Parker, Mitch Perry, Will Pucovski, Tom Rogers, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Will Sutherland. Rookies: Liam Blackford, Dylan Brasher, Douglas Warren
*Cricket Australia contract

Ins and Outs:
Ins: Peter Siddle (Tasmania), Matt Fotia, Tom O’Donnell, Tom Rogers
Outs: Aaron Finch (retired), Jake Fraser-McGurk (South Australia), Brody Couch, Zak Evans, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Tom O’Connell

Peter Handscomb of Australia bats. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

After three seasons mentoring Tasmania’s emerging pace attack, Vic icon Peter Siddle has returned to his home state on a two-year deal. Tom O’Donnell, son of former Australian representative Simon, has been offered a full contract after making his debut in the Marsh Cup last season, while aggressive opener Tom Rogers has also been offered a contract following several prolific seasons for Ringwood in Victorian Premier Cricket.

The ultimate feelgood story, however, is Rogers’ Ringwood teammate Matt Fotia, with the 28-year-old quick earning his first state contract, having represented Australia at the U19 level a decade ago.

Jon Holland likely won’t get the opportunity to end his career on his own terms, after the stalwart tweaker was not offered a contract despite his prolific record in domestic cricket. Former Australian limited overs skipper Aaron Finch made a quiet exit from the Victorian setup after retiring earlier this year and will turn his focus to T20 cricket.

Mackenzie Harvey, the nephew of Victorian great Ian, was also not offered a contract for the upcoming season after failing to impress when given opportunities at domestic level, while fellow young batter Jake Fraser-McGurk opted to sign with South Australia on a multi-year deal, turning down Victoria’s offer that would have seen him downgraded to a rookie contract. Fast bowlers Brody Couch and Zak Evans also make way, joined by spinner Tom O’Connell.

Squad Breakdown:
Batters: Dylan Brasher, Ashley Chandrasinghe, Travis Dean, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Campbell Kellaway, Nic Maddinson, Will Pucovski, Tom Rogers
Wicket-Keepers: Sam Harper, Liam Blackford
All-Rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Jono Merlo, Matt Short, Will Sutherland
Fast Bowlers: Scott Boland, Xavier Crone, Sam Elliott, Matt Fotia, Cameron McClure, Tom O’Donnell, Fergus O’Neill, Mitch Perry, Peter Siddle, Jack Prestwidge (Uncontracted)
Spinners: Todd Murphy, Wil Parker, Doug Warren, Ruwan Kellapotha (Uncontracted)

Peter Siddle (Francois Nel/Getty Images)

The Vics’ batting stocks contain a good mix of experience and youth, with the latter showing fans their potential last season. Stoic opener Ash Chandrasinghe showed plenty of promise by making his maiden Shield ton on debut, and although he struggled to make much of an impact afterwards, will take plenty of confidence away from his stoic 280-ball knock of 46* in the Shield final as he carried his bat in a difficult innings for the Vics.

Campbell Kellaway is another young gun set to make a bigger impact this season, with his selection in the Australia A side after just one season of Shield cricket highlighting the potential that national selectors see in the left-hander.

Handscomb was a force to be reckoned with in the Shield last season, compiling 634 runs in just 6 matches, giving selectors no choice but to pick him for Australia’s Test tour of India in February. Handscomb will still remain captain in the One-Day Cup after handing the reins to Will Sutherland in Shield cricket, and will play a vital role in any success Victoria has this summer, as will Marcus Harris, who remains one of the most consistent openers in domestic cricket.

Nic Maddinson will make his return from an ACL injury suffered playing for the Melbourne Renegades last season, and the Vics will be hoping he returns to the strong form he has shown over recent years. It remains unclear if Will Pucovski is ready to return for the Vics as he continues to prioritise his health and wellbeing on the back of his recurring concussion issues, although the prodigious right-hander make a return to Premier Cricket with Melbourne, in which he got through unscathed.

For the sake of both Victorian and Australian cricket, all will be hoping Pucovski can finally get a consistent run of cricket under his belt. Although uncontracted, 18-year-old Harry Dixon deserves a mention given his incredible recent form in Australia’s u19 tour of England, which saw him named player of the series after pummelling the England attack for 406 runs at 101.5 across 4 innings, and definitely wouldn’t rule out a debut for the Vics in the near future.

All-rounder Matt Short thrust himself into national team conversations after a career-best season in 2023, compiling 623 runs in the Shield to go with 301 in the One Day Cup, while also being named the BBL player of the tournament following his impressive performances for the Adelaide Strikers.

Matt Short. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

He has become an integral part of the Victorian lineup and will have a big role to play again this season. Another who enjoyed their best season to date was Sutherland, who showed his worth with bat and ball. In an incredibly impressive campaign, Sutherland won all five Shield matches as stand-in captain last season, finished as the leading wicket-taker in the Shield and even batted in the top six on several occasions, where he made 467 runs, including his maiden ton against South Australia.

Having recently been appointed Australia A skipper to add to his list of accomplishments, it’s easy to forget that Sutherland is still just 23 years old, and has a bright future ahead of him. Harper will remain the number-one gloveman, but the Vics may feel he has more to offer with the bat, after passing 50 just twice in the Shield last season. His glovework is impressive but will want to become a more reliable presence in the middle order.

The Vics’ fast bowling stocks don’t possess significant depth, but what they lack in depth they make up for in talent, and their bowlers’ ability to play their role to perfection, something which came to the fore last season.

Mitch Perry has become one of the most important wicket-takers in the side and continues to develop well, roaring back into form after enduring a rough patch to begin last season, leading from the front as the Vics got their season back on track. Took an incredible 22 wickets in Victoria’s five Shield matches after the break, and was aided well by the emergence of Fergus O’Neill, who became a mainstay in the Shield side last season, with his accuracy and ability to bog down batters, allowing the likes of Perry and Sutherland to bowl with more freedom and aggression at the other end.

Siddle will likely take on more of a mentoring role but still has the ability to make a big impact if required, while Scott Boland will also add invaluable experience to the lineup as he prepares for another summer among the Test squad.

There would be but a few players that have been more ready to make their domestic debut than Matt Fotia, who is a ready-made option if called upon, while the likes of O’Donnell, Xavier Crone, Sam Elliott, Cam McClure and even Jack Prestwidge will be vying for spots if the opportunity arises.

Todd Murphy. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

After several years of criticism of Junction Oval’s flat pitches, the curators appeared to try something different last season, favouring a drier, more spin-friendly deck in comparison to recent years. Also partially thwarted by the excessive rain that marred the start of last season in Melbourne, if the curators decide to go down the same path in 2023/24, and with a significantly drier summer predicted, it will have Todd Murphy licking his lips.

After an incredible rise that saw him take a remarkable 7-wicket haul on Test debut in India, Murphy has now donned the baggy green on six ocassions, and has shown he is more than capable at international level. It’s almost inconceivable that the 22-year-old has played just 14 first-class matches in his career, and the off-spinner will be looking to cement his spot as Nathan Lyon’s heir as he continues to improve.

Predicted Sheffield Shield XI:
Marcus Harris
Will Pucovski/Ash Chandrasinghe (Pucovski’s fitness pending)
Campbell Kellaway
Peter Handscomb (c)
Matt Short
Will Sutherland
Sam Harper (wk)
Mitch Perry
Fergus O’Neill
Todd Murphy
Scott Boland

Predicted One-Day Cup XI:
Tom Rogers
Matt Short
Marcus Harris
Peter Handscomb (c)
Campbell Kellaway
Sam Harper (wk)
Will Sutherland
Xavier Crone
Jack Prestwidge
Fergus O’Neill
Todd Murphy
*Glenn Maxwell excluded due to potential national team commitments.

Campbell Kellaway of Victoria. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

How They’ll Go: It’s difficult to predict how the Vics will fare this season, but if they can replicate their form from February and March earlier this year then they’ll be very tough to beat in Shield cricket.

They could be anything in the One Day Cup, but may end up towards the bottom of the ladder if they use the competition as a platform to give opportunities to less experienced players, although if some of their bigger names stand up it could drag them up a few places as was the case last season, and could even potentially win it if they play a near-full-strength side.

Their Shield side on paper is incredibly strong, however, and they have a massive chance to contend again, and although they’re not on Western Australia’s level yet, if they continue to improve as they did last season, they’ll certainly give them a run for their money.

Shield Prediction: 2nd

One-Day Cup Prediction: 6th