With the curtains coming to a close to this season’s Sheffield Shield, the details for the final have been announced.
This season has highlighted the fact that the future of Australian cricket is in good hands with 21-year-old Cameron Green leading the tournament for most runs, with 922, and Will Sutherland (21), Mitch Perry (20), Jarod Freeman (20) and Lance Morris (23) picking up 57 wickets between them.
The final is the perfect stage for a player to step up and make their name prominent in the media and in the minds of Test selectors.
Here is a guide on all the essential information on the 2020-21 Sheffield Shield grand final.
Where is the final being held?
Due to Queensland finishing on the top of the ladder – with 33.17 points (three wins, one loss, two draws) – the final will be held at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.
Who is playing?
Competing against Queensland will be Peter Nevill and Kurtis Patterson’s New South Wales. Due to a loss in the last game of the season for Western Australia against Tasmania, NSW came second, with 31.51 points opposed to WA’s 28.37.
Where and when can I watch the game?
The match is to be played between April 15-19 and begins at 9:30am (AEST) each day, broadcast live on Kayo and Fox Cricket. The match will also be available to listen live on ABC Grandstand, the Cricket Australia app and cricket.com.au.
What are the squads?
With the availability of NSW captain Peter Nevill uncertain due to the birth of his second child, it’s likely that Baxter Holt will be the keeper and Patterson will skipper the side.
James Bazley has been replaced in the Queensland squad for in-form Jack Wildermuth, who missed the last round due to the birth of his first child.
Injury has caused that, once again, the Bulls will play without pace-bowler Mark Steketee. The recent start of the IPL means NSW will be without Steve Smith, David Warner, Pat Cummins and Moises Henriques, but will still have internationals Sean Abbott, Trent Copeland, Patterson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood (who withdrew himself out of the exclusive tournament earlier this month).
When it comes to internationals, Queensland have the likes of Usman Khawaja, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Matt Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitch Swepson and Jack Wildermith.
Squads
Queensland: Usman Khawaja (c), Xavier Bartlett, Joe Burns, Brendan Doggett, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Bryce Street, Mitchell Swepson, Jack Wildermuth
NSW: Sean Abbott, Harry Conway, Trent Copeland, Jack Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Josh Hazlewood, Lachlan Hearne, Baxter Holt, Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Peter Nevill, Kurtis Patterson, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Mitchell Starc.
Who to look out for
Due to the consistency of Smith and Labuschagne in Australia’s top order, Khawaja’s Test career appears to be in doubt. However, the New South Welshman turned Queenslander has a chance to play in his first ever Sheffield Shield final win, despite playing in the competition for over a decade.
In the tournament so far, Swepson and Lyon have dominated with the ball and it will be interesting to see how they both perform for their individual teams.
Who are the favourites?
Despite Queensland finishing on top of the ladder and having home advantage, NSW are my favourites.
For the majority of the season, NSW played without their star bowlers Hazlewood (two games) and Starc (six games). Their ability to perform on the big stage has been on show for Australia over the last number of years and they will tip the game.
In saying that, the majority of betting odds around the country have Queensland as the favourites.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Good evening Rellum. Almost a perfect stumps score on Day 1. Apparently Starc was getting a bit “lippy” with Bryce Street. No hurry now for Queensland. NSW were denied any batting points & hopefully the Bulls are still batting at the end of Day 2 with wickets in hand. That would negate the situation of facing Nathan Lyon for a lengthy period in the second innings. Queensland to win.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Come on QLD!!!!! Now bring it home with a massive 1st innings.
JGK
Roar Guru
Looks like game over at Tea on Day 1.
Linphoma
Guest
Much rather have preferred the IPL players participating. Just to make it more genuine.
Peter Warrington
Guest
He was great, but he was no Halwes
Peter Warrington
Guest
much prefer a quickie
Peter Warrington
Guest
Technically a film treatment, but, yes, a tasty little morsel indeed.
Tony
Roar Guru
Thanks for reminding me about the classic Graham Greene novel "The Third Man" John. I'm going to give it another read.
JGK
Roar Guru
You always have State of Origin...
JGK
Roar Guru
Ah, Peter Clifford.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Queensland choke in the tight ones, just like Australia do. Why did I have to be both Australian and Queenslander? :unhappy: :crying: :sick:
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Spot on Paul. And then on came the 12th person with a change of gloves and drink at the end of the over.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Time for that trend to be reversed.I attended the 2004/5 final. A second innings century by Martin Love on a bowler friendly wicket gave Queensland bowlers a chance to pull off the improbable. With the floodlights on in the gloom, Peter Parker turned down several LBW shouts particularly from Andrew Symons as the ball was hooping around so much. Then with victory almost assured, NSW lost a clump of wickets & found themselves 9 down & still just under 20 required. With 2 runs to get, a difficult catch was grassed & NSW went on to win. Great game even though it only lasted 3 days. AB Field is traditionally more batsman friendly so hopefully the likes of Burns,Labuschagne, Khawaja & Renshaw can post big scores to guide the Bulls to victory. Queensland to win.
malibu77
Roar Rookie
This will be the 7th time QLD and NSW have met in the Shield final - the score to date, NSW won 5, QLD 0, Drawn 1 (and NSW as hosts won the title). Some absolute crackers in there - lets hope for another one. 1984/85 NSW vs QLD Sydney NSW by 1 wkt 1985/86 NSW vs QLD Sydney Drawn 1989/90 NSW vs QLD Sydney NSW by 345 runs 1992/93 NSW vs QLD Sydney NSW by 8 wkts 2002/03 QLD vs NSW BrisbaneNSW by 246 runs 2004/05QLD vs NSW BrisbaneNSW by 1 wkt
Paul
Roar Guru
So a pacer bowls to a batter who hits the ball to deep third person???? that's not political correctness, IMO that's sheer stupidity.
JaviCab
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the great article! Go Queensland !!!
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Good evening Paul. I not only recall Hondo Grattan but also Johnny Tapp’s musical tribute, “Little Hondo”. Remember the song? On the “batter”topic, I may be wrong however I thought females used to be referred to as batswomen now both gender are batters. Do women have a “third man” as a fielding position? Just wondering.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Street gained State selection on the back of a triple century in the Futures League a couple of years ago. Similar to Matt Renshaw as he is capable of scoring reasonably quickly however his role is to blunt the attack while Burns, Labuschagne, Khawaja etc play their shots. It has been a successful mix to date. Hopefully it will continue in the final.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
After what he did earlier this week in the Marsh Cup, don't discount Jack Edwards having an impact in this Shield Final. As for QLD, I really rate Bryce Street and think he can soon be pushing for a spot on the Test team.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Agreed, nothing better than barramundi in beer batsman.