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.
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BrumbyJack
Guest
Anyone know where I can find the WA team for tomorrow's start of the Shield? Help appreciated!
Craig Watson
Guest
The Blues need another solid opener in the absence of Watson. Nick Larkin from Sydney Uni could fill the void. The 24 year-old right hander has had a couple of respectable years on the trot and started this season with a big century. My Blues squad: Ryan Carters Nick Larkin Moises Henriques Daniel Hughes Kurtis Patterson Nick Maddinson Peter Nevill Sean Abbott Doug Bollinger Mitchell Starc Josh Hazlewood Steven O'Keefe If Starc ,SOK or Hazlewood are unavailable with national duties my replacement is Harry Conway , Trent Copeland. ,Richard Green.
Craig Watson
Guest
I was also impressed by Stoinis in the Matador Cup. Hit some timely innings. Liked the way he built into his innings and then opened the shoulders late. Hit the ball with sweet timing and brute power. A big season could see the WA-born batting all rounder push the likes of Watson, Marsh and ,Abbott for national honors.
Craig Watson
Guest
Reckon he is still a chance B hT but only in the ODI format. Has a very decent 50 over av.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
I would think he's still in the mix if he can stay fit, but given his record, I'd say he'll have to stay fit all season at WA and be in the runs to be picked though. Mitch Marsh getting picked for test cricket could be the best thing that ever happened to Shaun. No older brother wants to be beaten by the younger. He's been working his arse off by all accounts since coming back from injury.
Craig Watson
Guest
Young South Australian leftie Travis Head is one to watch for the future. Coach Darren Berry reportedly has big wraps on the kid. Has yet to hit a century in 22 FC games but has come close on several occasions. Bats at a reasonable 30 av with 9 fifties. He also bowls presentable offies. Head is a former Aussie U19 rep as well. ,
Craig Watson
Guest
Do you think S Marsh has been completely forgotten by selectors or is he still a chance for either the test or ODI?
Craig Watson
Guest
Carters was one of the top four scorers in last shield season. Another solid two years and he is destined for international honors. The continual selection of Scott Henry really puzzles me. Has a very moderate FC av of 26. Nick Maddinson needs to start producing.. or he is for the chop. Hugely natural talent who just does not value his wicket enough. Patterson is getting better with every season. This could be his break out year.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Carters in the one from these three teams that interests me the most. If he can back up last season he maybe the real deal as a batsmen. I would suggest he gives up the gloves and focuses on slips because we do not have that many good slippers.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Klinger is an excellent pick-up for WA, and they have a lot of talented youngsters coming through. I'd be disappointed if they weren't at least be pushing for the final at the end of the season. Batting is the problem for WA - Voges hasn't been all he could be in first class cricket - at county level I'm not sure he even has a contract with a first division team anymore and Shaun Marsh is hardly a match-winner at first class level. Kim Hughes bangs about about Stoinis, says his footwork has improved out of sight, so it will be interesting to see if he can get some runs for Vic. Fans on this site and others are running amok about Doran. Never seems to help any of our youngsters to have massive expectations on them.
jameswm
Guest
So most of the time the NSW XI for the Shield will look like this Scott Henry, Ryan Carters, Kurtis Patterson, Nic Maddinson, Peter Nevill, Moises Henriques, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc when available, otherwise Gurinder Sandhu, Stephen O’Keefe, Josh Hazlewood, Doug Bollinger, Bowling wise Hazlewood Bolly Starc/Sandhu Abbott SOK Henriques Pretty solid you'd have to say. Question marks are in top order, and batting order balance. Two keepers in the top 5/6, can Carters back up last season, is Henry good enough, can Patterson really come through?
Rellum
Roar Guru
I don't think NSW will win. For me the final will be between QLD and WA. NSW will miss too many players over the season but they have such depth that they can still go all the way.. QLD batting will need to fire though, same with WA to reach the final otherwise Tassie will sneak. I can't see the Vic's or SA doing anything.