Liam Blackford set to make Sheffield Shield debut for Victoria at Gabba
Blackford overcame thoracic outlet syndrome that required three surgeries in six months to earn a Sheffield Shield debut after scoring 1207 runs in second XI and first-grade cricket last summer.
Liam Blackford will bat in the middle order as a specialist batter for Victoria against Queensland at the Gabba. The 22-year-old missed his first season with the state after thoracic outlet syndrome forced three surgeries in six months.
Last summer he scored 1207 runs in second XI and first-grade cricket after averaging 10 the season before. Two half-centuries in his first eight innings for Victoria followed. He was initially suspected of having a tumour near his collarbone. Sam Harper returns from Test duty to keep wicket, while Matt Short is expected to miss a month after hip surgery. Blackford is in his fourth year on contract with Victoria.
CricHubb Take
Victoria now have a middle-order option they didn't count on, but the real test comes when the Gabba offers more bounce than the surfaces Blackford dominated in grade and second XI cricket.