Four teams are fighting over a vacant spot in the Sheffield Shield final as the red-ball competition enters its final day of the regular season on Tuesday.
South Australia has already locked in a home Sheffield Shield final following a dominant campaign, while Queensland is in the box seat to join them in the season finale after clinching 1.56 bonus points at Karen Rolton Oval courtesy of hundreds to wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson and all-rounder Jack Wildermuth.
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But as News Corp’s Daniel Cherny pointed out, the fact the match was a dead rubber for SA has really played into Queensland’s hands.
“Nathan McSweeney’s non-declaration has all but guaranteed his old state Queensland a spot in the Sheffield Shield final. Completely reasonable in circumstances given very little for South Australia to gain on flat KRO but has denied what could have been a compelling finish to the season,” he tweeted.
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Elsewhere, Victoria is in a dominant position in their Sheffield Shield clash against reigning champions Western Australia after opener Campbell Kellaway cracked an unbeaten century at the WACA on Monday, while New South Wales is chasing a 529-run target against Tasmania in Hobart.
It is feasible that whoever joins South Australia in the final will have only won three matches during the regular season.
Sheffield Shield 2024/25 Standings
1. South Australia — 51.76 points (six wins)
2. Queensland — 36.8 points (three wins)
3. New South Wales — 35.39 (three wins)
4. Western Australia — 34.43 (three wins)
5. Victoria — 32.49 (three wins)
6. Tasmania — 27.61 (two wins)
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