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Victoria push for delay to Shield opener

3 minute read

Victorian captain Peter Hanscomb fears strict quarantine restrictions will leave his bowlers prone to injury when they begin their Sheffield Shield season.

PETER HANDSCOMB of the Stars hits a boundary during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Melbourne Stars at ES in Melbourne, Australia.
PETER HANDSCOMB of the Stars hits a boundary during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Melbourne Stars at ES in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Two Sheffield Shield games will open the domestic cricket season on Saturday, but Victoria want their first match delayed as they deal with strict quarantine restrictions.

Peter Handscomb's team isn't due to play until October 22, but he fears that will be barely enough time to prepare.

The Vics have experienced difficulties since arriving in their South Australia Hub, having been forced out of the new Adelaide Oval hotel to a base further away from training facilities.

They will only be released from their 14-day quarantine two days before their scheduled match with reigning champions New South Wales.

Handscomb said Victoria have asked for that match to be moved to protect their players from injury.

"In terms of batters we could probably come out and do it, but the bowlers are going to have a pretty tough time of it, especially considering we have quite a young bowling attack," the former Australian batsman told reporters on Friday.

"They are going to need a bit more time on their feet after quarantine.

"We're being guided by the science and what Cricket Australia are giving us. But it is tough on our bowlers.

"We have a three-hour window, and a one-hour window with each section, in the gym, the indoor nets them to the outdoor nets. Then it's back on the bus, back to the hotel and back in to our rooms."

There are no such problems for Queensland, who are raring to go for their contest against a buoyant Tasmania.

It will be a clash between a powerful Bulls batting unit and a Tigers pace battery containing veteran recruit Peter Siddle.

Queensland's top-order is so strong that captain Usman Khawaja said former Test opener Matt Renshaw is no certainty to slot into the XI.

Incumbent Test opener Joe Burns is at the top of the order, followed by Marnus Labuschange at first drop and Khawaja at No.4.

"It's a Test batting line-up for the majority of it," Khawaja said.

"A lot of international experience in there, but at the end of the day you don't want to take it too lightly - Shield cricket isn't easy.

"You've got to make sure you're not thinking 'if I don't get the runs, someone else will do it'...we've got to keep our high standards up."

After three consecutive wooden spoons, South Australia begins a new era under coach Jason Gillespie with a match against a Mitch Marsh-less Western Australia.

SHEFFIELD SHIELD ROUND ONE (October 10-13)

Queensland v Tasmania at Park 25, Adelaide

South Australia v Western Australia at Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide

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