SUTHERLAND will look to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they face Northern District on Saturday but they will have to do it without their captain.
Skipper and opening bowler Nathan Fitzgerald will miss the game after pulling up sore from the win against Fairfield Liverpool.
Sutherland will welcome back dynamic all-rounder Ben Dwarshuis from a niggling back problem to replace Fitzgerald in the side and as captain.
The Sharks have won their opening two one-day fixtures and now face Northern District in their first two-day match of the campaign at Mark Taylor Oval, Waitara.
Fitzgerald said his team had the quality for the job without him.
"I just pulled up a bit sore, a bit tight after last week," he said.
"So it's more of a preventative thing to stop it getting any worse.
"We haven't scored enough runs yet in two games played in very different conditions.
"We haven't really adapted to the pace of the wicket in either game.
"We need to be putting a good total on the board this week given they're a quality side."
Sutherland have been disappointing with the bat despite winning their opening two matches. The Sharks lost eight wickets last week chasing Fairfield Liverpool's 212 after they were bowled out for 111 against Blacktown in the opening round.
Fitzgerald said Saturday was a good chance to show ability.
"Hopefully, we've shaken [our batting problems] off now and can get down to business of scoring 300-plus scores," he said.
"Shayne Smith came into the side last week after batting at five for us last season and got slotted in at eight.
"It was just one of those things but he got us home in the end and it shows the kind of depth we've got with the bat."
Former Test all-rounder Shane Watson is on state one-day duties.
The final make-up of the team will not be known until after training on Thursday.