Back stress fracture confirmed for Will Sutherland

Will Sutherland, the Victoria fast bowler, faces "a period on the sidelines" after scans confirmed a stress fracture in his lower back. Sutherland, 23, had a breakout Sheffield Shield season, and had signed up with Essex for the County Championship season, but that deal has been cancelled.

"It's disappointing for Will after a fantastic season. He had signed with Essex to go over and play in the County Championship - but this news will keep him at home and working on his rest and rehabilitation programme for the next few months," Cricket Victoria's head of male cricket, David Hussey, said in a statement.

"He has put his name up in lights with some big performances through the summer and we want him to be ready for next season, so we'll do everything we can to support him with his injury rehabilitation."

On the Essex website, head coach Anthony McGrath said, "It's really unfortunate that Will has injured himself so close to the 2023 season. We were all looking forward to welcoming him to Chelmsford and we're sorry to hear he will face a period of time recovering from his stress fracture.

"Everyone at the club wishes Will a speedy recovery and we hope to see him back on the pitch soon."

Sutherland topped the Sheffield Shield wicket-takers' table with 41 wickets in Victoria's run to the final, which they lost to Western Australia. He'd also stood in as captain during the course of the season.

In the final, Sutherland played through pain and put in a big performance, returning 5 for 75 in the first Western Australia innings, and then scoring 83 in 84 balls after Victoria had fallen behind top set a 91-run target, which was easily overhauled.