Victoria leads the pack and has hardly any players sidelined, while South Australia is running a few players down, but with their quality and some players hitting their best form, they will still be a big threat. It should be a thrilling Sheffield Shield finale at the Junction Oval, Who Victoria vs South Australia.
Victoria Squad Boosted by Scott Boland, Tough Selection Choices Ahead of Shield Final
Victoria enters the Sheffield Shield final in strong form, with most players fit and Test star Scott Boland returning after taking four wickets against South Australia in round 10. Allrounder Matt Short will be unavailable as he heads to the Chennai Super Kings for the IPL season.
Captain Will Sutherland emphasised his motivation to overturn previous final disappointments. However, the Victoria faced a difficult selection decision: Fergus O’Neill, who was rested in the last regular-season match, replaced Mitch Perry. Sam Elliott (33 wickets in seven matches) narrowly edged out Perry (32 wickets in eight matches) for the final spot, making them Victoria’s two most prolific bowlers this season. Blake Macdonald, dropped after a poor outing against Tasmania, has been added as batting cover for the decider.
South Australia Contends With Injuries But Retains Experience
South Australia has been hit by injuries late in the season. Test-capped quick Brendan Doggett is out with a hamstring injury from round seven, while young left-armer Campbell Thompson is sidelined for the season.
However, there are boosts for the defending champions. Wes Agar is pushing for a return from a back injury, taking two wickets in a recent club semi-final, and could join a 14-man squad alongside leg-spinner Lloyd Pope and Jake Fraser-McGurk, who provides batting depth despite limited Shield appearances.
Travis Head will miss the final due to IPL commitments with Sunrisers Hyderabad, but Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey returns, having scored a century in last year’s final. Coach Ryan Harris noted that Pope could be considered for a recall after heavy spin workloads in round 10, offering South Australia flexibility in their bowling attack.
Probable XIs
Victoria: Sam Harper (wk), Campbell Kellaway, Dylan Brasher, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Oliver Peake, Will Sutherland (c), Fergus O’Neill, Sam Elliott, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland
South Australia: Henry Hunt, Mackenzie Harvey, Nathan McSweeney (c), Jason Sangha, Alex Carey (wk), Jake Lehmann, Liam Scott, Ben Manenti, Nathan McAndrew, Henry Thornton, Jordan Buckingham
With form and fitness now largely settled, both teams appear ready for a competitive Shield final, though selection and injury decisions could prove decisive
Match Details:
- Who: Victoria vs South Australia
- What: 2025-26 Sheffield Shield Final
- When: March 26–30, 2026
- Where: Junction Oval, Melbourne
- How to Watch: cricket.com.au, CA Live app, Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports (Available only in australia)
Hours of Play:
- Coin toss: 9:45 AM AEDT
- Session 1: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM AEDT
- Session 2: 1:10 PM – 3:10 PM AEDT
- Session 3: 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM AEDT
- Extra 30 mins for overs if needed
Confirmed XI: Sam Harper (wk), Campbell Kellaway, Dylan Brasher, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Oliver Peake, Will Sutherland (c), Fergus O’Neill, Sam Elliott, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland
- Selection Notes:
- Sam Elliott (33 wickets) edges out Mitch Perry (32 wickets) for the final spot.
- Fergus O’Neill returns after being rested in round 10.
- Blake Macdonald added as batting cover.
- Injuries/Absentees: All key players fit except Matt Short (IPL commitments with Chennai Super Kings).
South Australia Squad & Notes
Confirmed XI: Henry Hunt, Mackenzie Harvey, Nathan McSweeney (c), Jason Sangha, Alex Carey (wk), Jake Lehmann, Liam Scott, Ben Manenti, Nathan McAndrew, Henry Thornton, Jordan Buckingham
- Key Updates:
- Travis Head unavailable (IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad)
- Brendan Doggett out (hamstring), Campbell Thompson ruled out for season
- Wes Agar recovering from back injury, pushing for squad return
- Lloyd Pope & Jake Fraser-McGurk could strengthen bowling/batting depth
Recent Form
Victoria: DWWLWLWWWW
- Dominant throughout the season, winning seven games or more, including key victories over NSW and WA.
- Hosting rights secured after 353-run win vs WA in round 8.
South Australia: DWWDWDWDLL
- Defending champions undefeated in four-day cricket since late October.
- Qualified for the final after a draw vs Victoria in round 10, aided by Queensland losing to Tasmania.
Past Encounters & Final History
- Last Round 10: Draw at Junction Oval – Victoria led by 3 runs before rain washed out the match.
- Round 1: Victoria defeated South Australia at Adelaide Oval after resilient batting from Peake & O’Neill.
- Final Meetings: Last faced in 2016-17 – Victoria claimed its third consecutive Shield with a draw at Alice Springs.
- Victoria has historically been dominant in Shield finals against SA, including a hat-trick of titles from 2014-15 to 2016-17.
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