Victoria vs Tasmania, aus-odi, Today Match Prediction 23 September 2024

VAC vs TSC Match Prediction & Analysis

Match number 2 of the Marsh One Day Cup 2024/25 will see a clash between Victoria and Tasmania at the Junction Oval in Melbourne this Monday. Both teams didn’t live up to the expectations last season and will be eager to start on a winning note. Victoria have had the better of Tasmania over the last few games and will be pretty confident of their chances. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Victoria Preview

Victoria had a pretty solid season last time in the Marsh One Day Cup, finishing third on the table with 21 points and a net run rate of 0.232. They were tied on points with second placed Western Australia, who had a better NRR. 

Victoria’s chances of clinching their first silverware since the 2018-19 season could hinge on the performance of their batters. Unfortunately, they’ve lost key players: Nic Maddinson has returned to his home state of New South Wales, while young talent Will Pucovski is unlikely to play this summer. Additionally, they’ll start the campaign without their top bowler, Scott Boland, as he continues to recover from a lingering plantar fascia injury.

On the brighter side, One-Day captain Peter Handscomb is entering the season in outstanding form. The 20-Test veteran recently topped the run charts in the UK’s county 50-over competition, scoring 539 runs at an impressive average of 67.37 for Leicestershire. 

Tom Rogers, who topped the team’s batting charts last season with over 400 runs at 58, is another one to watch out for.

Among the bowlers, Fergus O'Neil and Sam Elliott are likely to be the key players. The two shared 25 wickets between them last season.

Victoria Predicted Playing XI:

Josh Brown, Tom Rogers, Marcus Harris, Peter Handscomb (c), Sam Harper (wk), Jono Merlo, Will Sutherland, Sam Elliott, Fergus O'Neill, Todd Murphy, Peter Siddle

Tasmania Preview

Tasmania didn’t have the best of times last season. They finished fourth on the table with just 13 points, winning 3 matches and losing 4.

The current composition of their team, featuring a blend of experienced players, indicates that the Tigers could emerge as serious title contenders in the coming six months. Players like Brad Hope, Charlie Wakim, Mac Wright, and Jake Weatherald have proven their ability to score big runs at the domestic level. 

Additionally, established players such as Beau Webster, Caleb Jewell, and team captain Jordan Silk offer essential stability to the batting order.

Webster earned the title of Marsh Sheffield Shield Player of the Season, leading the charts as the top run scorer and ranking as the 11th-highest wicket-taker. Jewell’s significant contributions with the bat played a key role in establishing Tasmania as a strong team, while Silk consistently delivered strong performances in both formats.

Matt Kuhnemann will play a crucial role in strengthening their spin department. The Tigers also benefit from the arrival of bowling all-rounder Will Prestwidge, adding further depth to their squad.

Tasmania Predicted Playing XI:

Caleb Jewell, Jake Weatherald, Charlie Wakim, Jordan Silk (c), Beau Webster, Bradley Hope, Mitch Owen, Will Prestwidge, Ian Carlisle, Matt Kuhnemann, Riley Meredith

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Junction Oval is a balanced surface with something in it for both batters and seam bowlers. Fast bowlers will enjoy the seam movement off the deck along with the bounce. Batters will need to be watchful when they are new to the crease. The pitch does allow them to unfurl their range of strokes once they have settled in. 

The weather in Melbourne will be mostly cloudy during the match. We should get a full match.

VAC vs TSC Pitch Report

A score of 250+ was posted just once at the Junction Oval in the last season Marsh One-Day Cup, with the highest total being Victoria’s 298-7 versus New South Wales. This isn’t a high-scoring venue, and the chasing side usually is at an advantage. The team batting first will be looking to set a score of around 260-270 runs.

Toss: To Bowl

Three of the four matches played at the Junction Oval in Melbourne in last season’s Marsh One-Day Cup were won by the chasing side. There, it’s very likely that both captains will be interested in bowling first here.