Cricket over AFL ticks a big box for Will

Will Sutherland’s decision to opt for cricket over the AFL is looking more and more like the right one after the Victorian all-rounder was voted the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year.

Having already been selected to play for Australia A against India, Sutherland has cemented his place among the best young talent in the game.

The 21-year-old joined a list of 21 previous winners of the award, of which only four haven’t played for Australia at either Test or limited overs level.

“I saw some of the names, David Warner, Brett Lee and reading that was pretty exciting,” Sutherland said.

“Even Will Pucovski, to see what he has been able to do in two years since he won the award, to play for Australia shows what’s possible if I keep working hard.”

Pucovski won the award in 2019, as a 19-year-old, and made his Test debut at the SCG in January.

Sutherland also played against India at the SCG, last December, as part of the Australia A team and said it showed him what was needed to go to the next level.

“To play against those guys at a young age … it was pretty eye-opening,” he said.

Sutherland only took one wicket in that match as the young Australia outfit was outplayed by an Indian side that went on to win the Test series 2-1.

The son of former Cricket Australia boss James, and brother of women’s all-rounder Annabel, Sutherland was touted as a top-10 AFL draft prospect before choosing to follow the family path.

Will Sutherland said winning an award voted for by the players was extra special. Picture. Phil HillyardSource:News Corp Australia

Having cemented his place in the Victorian line-up over the past 12 months, Sutherland showed his prowess with the bat but mainly the ball during the voting period.

He took 26 wickets across the Sheffield Shield, one-day and Big Bash competitions at an average of at 24.15, including 6/67 against South Australia in March last year.

“I’ve matured a bit in the last couple of seasons and got a bit more confident in my role, especially for Victoria,” Sutherland said.

“Whenever I get into a contest I can be quite competitive … and to contribute to a couple of wins was pretty exciting.”

Sutherland said winning an award voted for by the players was extra special.

“They are strong competitions we have been playing in the Sheffield Shield and Big Bash with a lot of good young cricketers coming through, so to get that recognition is pretty exciting for me at this point of my career,” he said.

“I think it’s always a bit extra special every time you win a player-voted award. To get recognition from senior players and the Australian cricket competition, it’s pretty awesome and means a lot to me.”
PREVIOUS WINNERS:
2000: Brett Lee
2001: Nathan Bracken
2002: Shane Watson
2003: Nathan Hauritz
2004: Shaun Tait
2005: Mark Cosgrove
2006: Dan Cullen
2007: Ben Hilfenhaus
2008: Luke Pomersbach
2009: Phillip Hughes
2010: John Hastings
2011: Trent Copeland
2012: David Warner
2013: Joe Burns
2014: Jordan Silk
2015: Sean Abbott
2016: Alex Ross
2017: Hilton Cartwright
2018: Jhye Richardson
2019: Will Pucovski
2020: Wes Agar

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