VAC vs NSW 16th Match Prediction

VAC vs NSW Team Previews

Victoria

Victoria had a tough battle against Tasmania in their last SS game, as Harris, Boland, Handscomb, and Murphy were all out due to other cricket commitments. Harris and Boland are still away for Australia against the West Indies, but Handscomb and Murphy will return after their time with Australia A.

Still, the loss of a key batter like Harris and expert pace bowler such as Boland is not easy to replace. Victoria is in need of stable players, which they should get from Handscomb and Murphy, but is it going to be enough? Victoria’s recent form suggests not.

Travis Dean is in a bit of a batting slump after scoring just 16 runs in four innings, but we hoped for a better performance from Ashley Chandrasinghe, who did score 119* in his first SS game but has yet to reach over 20 runs since.

Victoria needs Will Sutherland and Handscomb to play two spectacular innings if they want any chance to beat NSW, as they appear to be the only batters who can save their state.

Murphy and Sutherland are a solid bowling duo and much of the burden will rest on their shoulders. Sutherland, especially, has been excellent by taking 6/108 and 3/46 in his last two SS matches. The Vics will miss Boland, but Sutherland will have to step up.

New South Wales

NSW is yet to pick up a Sheffield Shield win, but they do have a better squad than in earlier matches now. The appearance of star spinner Adam Zampa is a massive boost, as he is fresh off fantastic performances for Australia in the T20 World Cup and ODI series against England. Zampa doesn’t play much SS, so he’s going to make the most of it.

NSW was pretty unspectacular in the loss to WA in their last Sheffield Shield clash, making only 227 runs over two innings, which is just not good enough. Still, they do have several players who can bounce back from a terrible match, like batters Daniel Hughes, Kurtis Patterson, and Jason Sangha.

Having allrounder Sean Abbott returning to the squad is going to be helpful, as he’s one of the most experienced players they’ve got. His 2/72 & 1/53 against Tasmania can be improved and he’s capable of much more. Spinner Chris Green was great against WA, even if the rest of the team wasn’t, as he took 9/112 across two innings.