Gades Watch: Aussie call ups, Vics impress, Dixon eyes World Cup glory

Gades in green and gold

Melbourne Renegades young guns Will Sutherland and Jake Fraser-McGurk earned maiden international call ups in Australia's recent ODI series against the West Indies. 

The pair didn't have to wait long for debuts - or make an impact - pulling on caps #246 and #247 in the final two games of Australia's clean sweep.

Fraser-McGurk, opening the batting, provided some fireworks at the crease with a quickfire 10 from five balls in Sydney. Then, the man they call Rooster backed up in Canberra with a brilliant 18-ball 41 (including three sixes and five fours) in a knock that got the nation talking.

Sutherland also starred with the ball, taking two wickets (2/28), one of which was caught by Renegades teammate and sub fielder Mackenzie Harvey, while Adam Zampa picked up four wickets for the series.

Maddo and Ferg star for the Big V

Victoria is poised to secure finals appearances in both the Marsh Sheffield Shield and One Day Cup competitions, and its thanks largely to impressive showings from some in-form Renegades.

Nic Maddinson produced a Player of the Match performance in Victoria's recent Shield fixture against South Australia at CitiPower Centre, scoring a ton (104) in the Big V's first innings to set up the three-wicket win. It was Maddinson's 16th first-class century, an impressive knock in what was his first Shield game for more than 12 months.

Meanwhile, Fergus O'Neill's strong form continued in both formats. The seamer took five crucial scalps in the second innings (7/68 for the game) to give his side 157 runs to chase for victory. O'Neill moved to fourth on the Shield wickets tally with 28 wickets for the season.

O'Neill then finished off a big week by earning Player of the Match in the Vic’s follow-up one-day clash with the Redbacks on Thursday. O'Neill took three wickets, including the prized scalp of Renegades teammate Fraser-McGurk.

Maddinson (54), Sutherland (22 and 1/38) and Peter Siddle (2/56) also contributed the Vic's three-wicket win.

Molineux, Webb building ahead of WBBL|10

Both the Renegades and the competition were poorer for Sophie Molineux's absence during the WBBL|09 season, forced to sit out as she continued her comeback from an ACL injury.

But she's returned to first-class cricket and returned with a bang, producing some match-winning performances for her state and country to get Renegades supporters excited ahead of WBBL|10.

Molineux impressively sits equal first atop the WNCL wicket tally with 17 scalps from her six games for the season. That tally includes a 6/45 against NSW back in December - in what was her second game back - and a 4/38 against South Australia last week.

And in a big step on her path back to the Australian squad, Molineux starred in her one-off appearance for the Governor-General XI against South Africa in January, scoring 59 from 41 including 11 fours.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the border, Coutney Webb is enjoying great form with the bat for South Australia. Webb has amassed 364 runs this WNCL season, 75 of those coming against the Scorpion's recent clash with Victoria at CitiPower Centre.

Dixon eyes World Cup glory

Harry Dixon and the Australians are flying at the U/19 World Cup in South Africa.

Dixon set up the Aussie's thrilling one-wicket victory in Thursday's semi-final against Pakistan. Chasing 178, the opener top scored with 50 from 75 deliveries to anchor the Aussies' successful run chase and propel his side into the World Cup Final.

The 18-year-old, who signed with the Renegades on the eve of BBL|13, has been a standout this World Cup. He's compiled 257 runs at an average of 44.5, the most of any player in the unbeaten Aussie team and fifth overall. His knocks have included three half centuries, including a best afield knock of 89 runs from 108 balls against Zimbabwe on January 25.

Dixon and his Aussie teammates will play India in the World Cup final on Sunday.