The Sheffield Shield starts later on this week. With the teams desperate for a good start to the season, I thought I might preview the teams that will be taking part this season.
Founded: 1856
Coach: Trevor Bayliss
Sheffield Shield wins: 46
Last Season: Winners
The New South Wales Blues are the most successful domestic cricket team in Australian cricket history. Last season, having won their 46th Sheffield Shield title in their 158-year history, the Blues will be hot favourites to go back to back.
Their preparation for the season has been good. They finished runners up to a youthful Western Australian line up in the recent Matador One Day Cup; a good start to the season.
Due to the amount of cricket being played this summer, New South Wales will no doubt be short a lot of their stand out players because of international commitments.
However as they say, when New South Wales is strong, Australian Cricket is strong.
Players to watch
Jake Doran – At only 17, Jake Doran has plenty of cricket ahead of him. A wicket keeper batsman who can also, confusingly, bowl good medium pacers. He’ll be trying to break his way into this strong NSW side.
Josh Hazelwood – Hazelwood had a great season with the ball last year. He’ll be looking to keep up his good one-day cricket form into the shield season. Having already played a few games for Australia, he’ll certainly be in the frame for World Cup selection.
Kurtis Patterson – Patterson, a young talented batsman who stands at 192cm tall, has got a bright future ahead of him. Having only played nine first class matches, he has already impressed with an average of 37.06 and a high score of 157 against Western Australia on debut a few years back.
Squad
Michael Clarke, Sean Abbott, Doug Bollinger, Ryan Carters, Trent Copeland, Patrick Cummins, Bran Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Scott Henry, Daniel Hughes, Josh Lalor, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Peter Nevill, Stephen O’Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Ben Rohrer, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Gurinder Sandhu, David Warner, Shane Watson, Harry Conway, Jake Doran, Ben Dwarshuls, Patrick Pisel
Founded: 1851
Coach: Greg Shipperd
Sheffield Shield wins: 28
Last Season: Last (6th)
Victoria’s last season could possibly go down as their worst ever. Earning the wooden spoon and only winning one match out of a possible 10.
Although their form in the One Day Cup doesn’t suggest they will be setting the world on fire, you can never underestimate the Victorians.
Like New South Wales, Victoria will have trouble with a lot of their best players having international commitments.
They are a large squad who are now starting to hit their peak. Players such as Dan Christian, Rob Quiney and Cam White along with young players full of potential such as James Muirhead and Matt Short should be up for big seasons.
If the Bushrangers start the season of strongly, something they couldn’t do last year they’ll be very difficult to stop.
Players to watch
Marcus Stoinis – Western Australian-born Victorian Marcus Stoinis played a key role in Victoria’s recent one dayers with the bat. Along with his handy medium pace bowling, Stoinis will no doubt play a big part of this season.
Matt Short – Matt Short didn’t look out of his depth when up against the best in the country recently in the One Day Cup. At only 19 has got plenty of cricket ahead of him. I’m backing his to make his first class debut this season.
James Muirhead – Didn’t play a game for the Bushrangers in the one dayers. A promising young leggie who can spin the ball a bit. Will be one to watch.
Squad
Aaron Finch, David Hussey, Rob Quiney, Chris Rogers, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Short, Cameron White, Alex Keath, John Hastings, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Christian, Guy Walker, Aaron Ayre, Matthew Wade, Peter Handscomb, Seb Gotch, Jake Haberfield, Clint McKay, James Muirhead, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Scott Boland, Jon Holland, Louis Cameron, Jake Reed, Ryan Sidebottom, Fawad Ahmed, Chris Tremain, Ben Ashkenazi.
Founded: 1893
Coach: Justin Langer
Sheffield Shield wins: 15
Last Season: Runners Up
After a season that defied all expectations, Coach Justin Langer will be hoping to go one better this time round after WA’s loss to New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield final last season.
The Western Australian squad has a good mix with experience and youth, with 14 players under the age of 24. Along with Adam Voges, (35) Shaun Marsh, (31) and former South Australian captain Michael Klinger (34)
Since former Australian opener Justin Langer got the job as coach of the Western Australian team back in late 2012. The Warriors have drastically improved their performances. Recently winning their first bit of silverware in 11 years in the One Day Cup.
The Warriors will be highly thought of as potential winners this season.
Players to watch
Joel Paris – Paris has impressed many after a fantastic one day cup campaign for the victorious warriors. Although only bowling 1.4 overs of the one-day final after leaving the field with a quad injury. His stylish bowling action and ability to swing the ball, Joel Paris will be eyeing a first class debut this season.
Simon Mackin – Simon Mackin made his first class debut for the Warriors last season against the then defending champions Tasmania. He has been called WA’s next Joe Angle.
Sam Whiteman – By now most people in the Australian cricket community would have already heard about Sam Whiteman. Already one of the favorites to replace Brad Haddin when he other retires or if he loses form.
Squad
Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Tom Beaton, Michael Beer, Jason Behrendorff, Will Bosisto, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Matt Dixon, Ryan Duffield, Marcus Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Klinger, Simon Mackin, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, David Moody, Jaron Morgan, Joel Paris, Nathan Rimmington, John Rogers, Craig Simmons, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Adam Voges, Sam Whiteman.
Next Preview, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland.
Follow me on twitter @Lachy7Doyle
Lachy has started a petition to get the Sheffield Shield final on Free to Air TV. It can be found here.
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