Bound for South Australia

GH at the last rites of the Sheffield Shield

The End

In a summer which winced at two two-day Tests, the Sheffield Shield finalists made the most of their five-day allocation by meeting the challenge of conditions - a splendid, fluctuating match initially dominated by the hosts and favourites, who were then gradually swarmed by the visitors. It is not so long since South Australia went five years rooted to the bottom of the table; now, under their returning son Ryan Harris, they have lifted the Shield in consecutive seasons.

Victoria let the game slip in two phases - an unambitious period yesterday where they stood back while Alex Carey crafted a fine century with Nathan McAndrew in support, and later as the long day waned and the chase seemed well within bounds. Peter Handscomb and Marcus Harris were doing it if not easily at least coolly, accumulating 67 in 143 deliveries, abjuring all risk, taking no liberties. The ground looked a picture in the late evening light; the crowd circulated contentedly. Handscomb then played a loose cut, Harris a reprehensible drive on one knee, and two nightwatchmen were exposed who South Australia excised quickly this morning - four wickets conjured almost from nowhere when the game had been in Victoria’s pocket.

Goodbye Ollie

The impressive Liam Scott, who bowls at a stinging length with great persistence, was the chief beneficiary, and extended the inroads by nicking off Ollie Peake, Carey having momentarily stood back. His season, 496 runs at 41 plus twenty-five wickets, earned him the Sheffield Shield Player of the Year, and good notices. McAndrew, his 60 runs reinforced by six wickets, won the finalist’s individual award. He is a worker, while player who so proudly wears a 0 on his back is also defiantly unsuperstitious.