sport news Essex overseas signing Will Sutherland sent for scans on a suspected stress ... trends now EXCLUSIVE: Essex overseas signing Will Sutherland sent for scans on a suspected stress fracture, with the 23-year-old seamer now unlikely to play in their County Championship opener against Middlesex next Thursday Will Sutherland has been sent for scans on a suspected stress fracture It comes after the Australian seamer signed for Essex as an overseas player He is now unlikely to feature in next week's County Championship opener By Richard Gibson for the Daily Mail Published: 17:16 BST, 28 March 2023 | Updated: 17:18 BST, 28 March 2023 Viewcomments Essex have been dealt a blow on the eve of the County Championship season after overseas signing Will Sutherland was sent for scans on a suspected stress fracture of the back. Sutherland, 23, was the leading wicket-taker in the recently-concluded Sheffield Shield season, taking his tally of victims to 41 with figures of five for 75 before reporting discomfort in Victoria’s final defeat to Western Australia last weekend. The son of former Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland was unable to bowl in the second innings, although it didn’t stop him crashing 83 with the bat to avert any possibility of the home team claiming an innings win in Perth. Essex head coach Anthony McGrath identified the 6ft 5ins all-rounder as a key recruit for 2023 during a winter stint on the coaching staff of Melbourne Renegades. However, Australian cricket chiefs are unlikely to want a player whose stock has risen dramatically through an outstanding six months of performance across all formats being thrust into more four-day cricket even if the scans show no significant damage. Will Sutherland looks unlikely to play in Essex's County Championship opener against Middlesex The 23-year-old has been sent for a scans after a suspected stress fracture in his back It was only a week ago that Sutherland committed to a deal with Essex until the end of July - ensuring he would be on hand and match-ready should injuries hit Australia’s Ashes squad - but the club will almost certainly have to look elsewhere now for the initial phases of a first-class competition that begins next Thursday. Meanwhile, two-time England coach Peter Moores has accepted the challenge of ending Melbourne Stars’ silverware duck after agreeing a two-year winter contract with the MCG-based franchise. The 60-year-old has won the Vitality Blast twice with current club Nottinghamshire and also claimed the Championship pennant during previous spells with Sussex and Lancashire. The Stars are one of only two Big Bash League teams never to have been crowned Australia’s Twenty20 champions - Hobart Hurricanes are the other. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility