Sheffield Shield 2023: Todd Murphy injury has Douglas Warren in line for Victoria debut against Queensland

Douglas Warren’s speedy ascension through the ranks of Victorian cricket is set to continue with a Sheffield Shield debut against Queensland at the MCG on Thursday.

Left-armer Warren has been called into the squad as the Vics monitor Todd Murphy’s fitness.

The Test offie has been complaining of shoulder soreness and may be rested.

Warren, 22, was contracted to Victoria’s squad as a rookie-listed player after taking 24 wickets at 23.92 for Melbourne University last season.

He has been bowling well for Uni this season, in Round 2 taking 4-18 off 12.5 overs and 2-18 off 10 against Ringwood.

He opened the Victorian Premier Cricket season with 2-35 off 14.4 overs against Frankston-Peninsula.

Warren has been working closely with renowned spin coach Craig Howard this year.

In an interview with CODE Sports ahead of his state-squad call-up, Warren confirmed he started bowling spin when he was 14 and attending Sub-District club Balwyn’s Academy program.

He had been a medium-pacer but a back injury troubled him.

“He came up to me at his first session and said, ‘My back is a bit sore, do you mind if I try to bowl off-spin?’ He had never done it before,’’ Balwyn Academy coach James Lowrie said.

“After about six balls, I said to him, ‘Mate, if I were you I would stick to spin, there is something special there’.’’

Warren played junior cricket with Edinburgh and joined Balwyn when he was still a teenager and Liam Murphy, now the head of Victorian Premier Cricket, was senior coach.

The young spinner played first XI cricket for the Tigers for two years and captained the Trinity Grammar team.

Linking with Premier Cricket, he joined Melbourne University – the home of one of his teachers, James Bett – in 2019-20 and made his First XI debut 12 months later.

More Coverage

Maxi’s greatest hit: Has Big Show saved ODI cricket?

Robert Craddock

Cricket’s incredible six wickets in six balls – and I was first to fall

Jake Garland

Last season he was selected in the Victorian Second XI, impressing the coaches.

The back problem he had complained about at the Balwyn Academy was finally diagnosed this year as stress fractures. He had to overcome them as he took his place in the state squad, adding merit to his early-season performances.

The Vics have a win, two losses and a draw from their four matches this season.