The Sheffield Shield wrap: The season so far

With Test stars in action and international spots on the line, at least theoretically, the first three rounds of this season’s Sheffield Shield have been intriguing.

With the rounds now completed, and the international team selected, it is worth a look back at the best and worst of the Shield season so far.

Leaderboard
The most dominant team so far this season has easily been New South Wales. The Blues stand firmly on top of the leader board having won all three of their matches so far. This is not surprising, perhaps, considering the international stars available to them for these rounds.

However, it was interesting to see that perhaps their most impressive win so far, their last match against Queensland, came mostly off the back of their regular state bowling line up. This is a good sign for the rest of the season.

Following NSW is Queensland (with two wins, no draws, and one loss); South Australia (1, 1, 1); Western Australia (1, 0, 2); Victoria, (0, 2, 1); and finally Tasmania (0, 1, 2). Sitting at the bottom of the table, the Tigers will be fuming about the rumoured interjection of Cricket Australia to prolong Tim Paine’s innings in their last match, as it dramatically cut down their chance to win.

Batting
Interestingly, none of the top five run-scorers so far this Shield season are from the incumbent Test crop, and only two, the top scorer Cameron Bancroft and Test regular, Usman Khawaja, will be padding up for the first Test of the summer.

The top five run scorers are: Bancroft (WA), with 442 runs at 110.50 (with a high score of 228); Jake Weathererald (SA), with 419 at 69.83 (152); Usman Khawaja (Queensland), with 347 at 86.75 (122); Callum Ferguson (SA), 343 at 72.97 (182*); and Alex Doolan (Tas), with 318 at 63.83 (247*).

Bowling
Of the wicket-takers so far this season, by far the stand out is Test spearhead Mitch Starc. Starc has taken 17 wickets at an average of 12.70, with a terrifying strike rate of 25.7. He also picked up his career best bowling figures of 8/73 in one innings. What makes this all the more remarkable is that it was done in only two matches, one less than anyone else in the top twelve wicket takers. His form is looking formidable going into the first Test.

Following Starc is a group of players all on 15 wickets: Michael Neser, (Queensland) with 15 wickets at 17.00 (strike rate: 34.4); Scott Boland (Vic), with 15 at 19.26 (44.4); Chris Tremain (Vic) with 15 at 20.93 (42.2); and, Jhye Richardson (WA), with 15 at 24.80 (43.2).

Notable performances
Easily the most notable bowling performance so far this season is that of Mitch Starc, who far outclassed his compatriots, even only playing two matches. However, another notable is Chris Tremain. With 15 wickets at 21, Tremain is staying firmly in mix of the top wicket takers, and is only solidifying his position as one of the most underrated bowlers in Australia.

The most notable batting performance of this season so far, is, of course, Cameron Bancroft. Opening for Western Australia alongside Shaun Marsh, Bancroft has scored two half centuries, 76* and 86, and a huge double of 228*. With Test incumbent Matt Renshaw only averaging 11.67, Bancroft’s performance ensured he pushed his way into the Test team to make a dream debut in the Ashes.

Despite the dominance of NSW, the most impressive team performance so far this season is South Australia’s win against Western Australia. Batting first, the WA Warriors posted a formidable 7-514 declared, based on Bancroft’s 228*, as well as a handy 95 by Mitch Marsh. In reply SA could only manage 363, largely on the back of Jake Weatherald’s 152.

However, in a great team performance, the Redbacks managed to roll WA in the second innings for only 173 (partially thanks to an injured Marcus Stoinis) and then pull off the win by posting 5-325, again on the back of a Weatherald century (143). It was an excellent performance for SA, giving them their first win for the season.

Disappointments
On the negative side, Western Australia will be disappointed with their performance so far this seasons. Despite having the top run scorer and one of the top five wicket takers, the Warriors have managed only the one win, and more disappointingly, two losses. Losing Bancroft and Shaun Marsh to internationals will not help their chances this season, and while they are by no means out of the running, they will have to work hard to make the final.

Another notable negative is Queensland’s batting. Despite winning two matches so far this season, the Bulls have struggled with the bat. Besides Khawaja, who averaged 86.75, the Bulls’ highest batting average this season belongs to fast-bowler Mark Steketee, who averaged 27 after only participating in one innings.

The next is Marnus Labuschagne, who averages 26.67 on the back of an 88 against NSW. With Khawaja now lost to the international summer, the Bulls will have to seriously pick up their batting if they wish to compete in the rest of the season.

Queensland’s poor performances with the blade are exemplified by two players with Test experience: Matt Renshaw (averaging 11.67) and Joe Burns (20.67). Both would have been hoping to add to their Test careers this summer, but after underwhelming starts to the season, they will simply be looking to get a big score under their belt as soon as possible.

With the international season beginning, the Sheffield Shield will now roll on without the Test stars. However, with plenty of talent and impressive performances outside of the international players, there is lots to look forward to as the season progresses.