Victoria has confirmed its squad for Round 5 of the 2025/26 Sheffield Shield season, with the team set to face Queensland in a day/night contest at the GABBA starting on Saturday November 22.
Victoria enters the clash with strong momentum, deep belief and cohesion, after four consecutive outright wins, including last week's 300-run win over a strong NSW side at the SCG.
Victorian Men's Head Coach Chris Rogers said the squad had embraced the early-season challenges and was thriving under increased expectation.
"There's a real sense of belief within this group," Rogers said.
"The players are connecting strongly, playing for each other, and representing Victoria with real pride. We've started well, but the challenge now is to keep pushing our standards and continue to put ourselves in the strongest possible position heading into the BBL break."
Mitch Perry joins Australian star, Matt Short, in returning to the squad, replacing Blake MacDonald and Scott Boland, who is in Perth for today's first Ashes Test.
Short is set to play his first Shield match of the summer, while Perry resumes after a short rest. Perry has been one of Victoria's biggest improvers this season, taking 15 wickets at just 16.73 from three matches.
Rogers said the returns add valuable balance and experience ahead of the pink-ball fixture.
"Having someone of Matt's calibre and international experience brings confidence and power to our middle order," Rogers said.
"Pez has been outstanding in red-ball cricket this summer. His energy, control and consistency have been first-class, and he'll be a key part of our attack under lights."
Young opener Campbell Kellaway continues to go from strength to strength this season and will build on the experience gained facing world-class opposition last week. The twenty-three-year-old made a gritty half-century facing Australian duo Mitch Starc and Josh Hazelwood.
Meanwhile, Fergus O'Neill also continues his excellent run of form, averaging 45 with the bat and taking 15 wickets at 21.80.
Rogers said the day/night match will provide an important opportunity ahead of Australia A selection discussions.
"These pink-ball games always ask different questions, and it's a great chance for players pushing for higher honours to stand up," he said.
Victoria will be looking to extend its unbeaten start to the Shield season and strengthen its position at the top of the table.
Victoria's Sheffield Shield Squad vs Queensland (Nov 22 -25)
- Will Sutherland (c) (Prahran)
- Harry Dixon (St Kilda)
- Sam Elliott (Fitzroy Doncaster)
- Marcus Harris (St Kilda)
- Sam Harper (Melbourne)
- Peter Handscomb (St Kilda)
- Campbell Kellaway (Melbourne)
- Todd Murphy (St Kilda)
- Fergus O'Neill (Melbourne)
- Oliver Peake (Geelong)
- Mitch Perry (Richmond)
- Matthew Short (Northcote)
