Handscomb to captain Victoria in Matador Cup

Peter Handscomb will captain Victoria in the Matador Cup next month and will lead a squad featuring four players uncapped in one-day cricket. Fast bowlers Jackson Coleman and Matt Doric have been included in the 14-man group, having not played state cricket in any format, while the Bushrangers also named allrounder Ian Holland and wicketkeeper Aaron Ayre, both of whom debuted in the Sheffield Shield last summer.

Former Test spinner Michael Beer is also in line to play for Victoria for the first time. Beer was originally from Melbourne, but did not get a chance in state cricket until he moved to Western Australia. However, having lost his contract with the Warriors last year, he is back in Victoria and at 32 is set to make his Bushrangers debut.

Batsman Marcus Harris is also set to play for Victoria for the first time, having switched from Western Australia this year. Last summer, Harris played in the Cricket Australia XI during the Matador Cup and was the leading run scorer for the young side, with 184 at 36.80.

Victoria will be without usual captain Matthew Wade, opening batsman Aaron Finch and fast bowlers Scott Boland and John Hastings, all of whom are with the Australia ODI squad in South Africa. However, the axing of Glenn Maxwell from the ODI side could prove a bonus for Victoria's hopes in the Matador Cup, as he should be available for the whole tournament.

"Coleman and Doric have shown promising form in both Premier Cricket and Pathway competitions, and will help fill the roles left by our frontline pace attack currently missing through injury and overseas commitments," Victoria's chairman of selectors, Andrew Lynch, said. "Add to that a solid mix of young all-rounders, as well as experienced campaigners like Glenn Maxwell, Cameron White, Bobby Quiney and Dan Christian, and we're set for a really positive month of cricket.

"Beer comes in as a seasoned campaigner, and will really add depth to our spin attack led by Fawad Ahmed and Jon Holland. To have those three as well as part-timers Maxwell and White is incredibly beneficial, and leaves us with plenty of options next month."

Peter Siddle, who retained his Cricket Australia contract this year despite the likelihood he would be sidelined for a lengthy portion of the year with stress fractures in his back, was not named in the squad. James Pattinson was not named either, as he continues to work towards a return from injury.

"James has been consistent with his training output over winter," Lynch said. "He's working hard to have his body in the physical shape required to sustain the demands of bowling when the time comes. We don't have a definitive date for his return yet, but his strong progress to date is promising heading into summer."

Victoria squad Peter Handscomb (capt), Fawad Ahmed, Aaron Ayre, Michael Beer, Daniel Christian, Jackson Coleman, Matt Doric, Marcus Harris, Ian Holland, Jon Holland, Glenn Maxwell, Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron White.