Melbourne Renegades all-rounder Will Sutherland says he’s confident he’ll be fit for Round 1 of BBL|14 despite recently sustaining a side strain.
Sutherland injured his side in Victoria’s Sheffield Shield game in SA earlier this month, getting through only 1 over in the second innings, and subsequently missed Australia’s white-ball series against Pakistan.
The Renegades unveiled Sutherland as their BBL|14 captain on Tuesday but the $132k BAT/BWL faces a race against time to be fit for their opener on Monday 16 December against the Sixers.
“Coming along pretty well, obviously did my side in that last Shield game,” Sutherland told reporters on Tuesday.
“On track recovery wise. Should be good for the first Big Bash game. I’ll miss a couple of Shield games but on track for that first one which is good.”
The Gades are particularly relevant with a Round 1 double, followed by a Round 4 double, meaning Sutherland is currently owned by 45% of coaches.
If fit, Sutherland likely bats 7 and bowls 4 overs, but the side issue could impact his ability to bowl each game which remains a concern.
“(We’ve got a) Couple of Big Bash practice games and I’ll try bowl in one of those and that should be enough to test it out and be good to go,” Sutherland said.
When asked if he could play as a batsman only, he added: “I’d have to ask (coach) Cam White. If I’m hitting them well, that’s still the aim for the Vics. I’ve been making enough runs in the twos and in club cricket to play as more like a batting all-rounder, I guess.
“I played my first big bash game as a batter only, so I’d love to do it again, I reckon.”
Sutherland’s potential absence is curious for the Gades, whose batting line-up doesn’t feature any known part-time bowlers, except Jacob Bethell who is set to miss the first few games on England Test duty.
Bowlers Fergus O’Neill and Tom Rogers are capable with the bat and could be elevated to 7, if they need to play 5 bowlers.
Recruit Josh Brown has dabbled with the ball for Victoria lately but he bowls only part-timers and could hardly be relied on for 4 overs, likewise Mackenzie Harvey who has bowled a bit in SA club cricket lately.
View our predicted Melbourne Renegades’ Round 1 line-up
