Sutherland rips through Bulls

SOME inspired bowling from teenage paceman Will Sutherland has helped Victoria open the domestic cricket season with a nervy 13-run one-day cup win over Queensland in Townsville.

In pursuit of a gettable target of 241 for victory, Queensland was immediately on the back foot yesterday, slipping to 6-79 before eventually being dismissed for 227 from 46.5 overs.

At 8-145, Queensland appeared dead and buried, but an unlikely run-a-ball 77 from No.9 Mitch Swepson carried the home side to within sight of an improbable victory.

In just his third match in the competition, Sutherland returned figures of 5-45 from his 10 overs, having dismissed five of Queensland’s seven recognised batsman.

Sutherland’s return included the wicket of Bulls captain Chris Lynn, with the star limited-overs batsman caught for a three-ball duck after flashing a wide ball to point.

Earlier, Test discard Glenn Maxwell provided the backbone of the Victorian innings with 80 off 91 balls.

Maxwell received strong support from Nic Maddinson, with the new arrival from NSW scoring 68 from 82 balls as the pair added 101 for the fifth wicket. It was an otherwise indifferent display with the bat by the Vics, who were 3-40 early on and eventually fell nine balls shy of completing their full 50-over allotment.

Paceman Mark Steketee starred for Queensland with the ball returning 4-35 off eight overs.

Picture: DAVE ACREE/AAP RELAX WITH MAX: Glenn Maxwell plays a sweep shot to bring up his half-century on his way to 80 off 91 balls in the JLT one-day cup match between Queensland and Victoria at Riverway Stadium yesterday.