THE 2022/23 Sheffield Shield is set to resume next month, with each state returning to complete the 10-match regular season. Reigning champions Western Australia sit atop the standings with four wins to their name, but a competitive race to face the Warriors in this year’s final is on the cards. As a refresher, we take you through the key numbers and top performances to date, before taking a look at what’s to come in the First Class competition.

STANDINGS

1. Western Australia (4-2-0) 33.76 points
2. Queensland (2-3-1) 22.36 points
3. Tasmania (2-2-2) 21.54 points
4. Victoria (1-3-2) 16.4 points
5. South Australia (1-3-2) 15.24 points
6. New South Wales (0-3-3) 7.88 points

Notes:
Records = Wins-Draws-Losses | Outright Win = 6 points | Draw = 1 point
Bonus Points: +0.01 of a point for every run over 200 during first 100 overs of first innings AND +0.1 of a point for every wicket taken during first 100 overs of opponent’s first innings.

LEADING RUN SCORERS

Peter Handscomb (VIC) – 8 innings | 571 runs @ 81.57 | 281* HS | 100 x2, 50 x1
Cameron Bancroft (WA) – 10 innings | 483 runs @ 53.66 | 164* HS | 100 x3
Tim Ward (TAS) – 11 innings | 421 runs @ 42.10 | 91 HS | 50 x4
Sam Whiteman (WA) – 10 innings | 390 runs @ 43.33 | 193 HS | 100 x2, 50 x1
Hilton Cartwright (WA) – 10 innings | 365 runs @ 45.62 | 78 HS | 50 x4 

TOP KNOCK:

Peter Handscomb – 281* (367) | 4s: 23 | 6s: 7
Victoria (4/616 dec) drew w/ Western Australia (466 & 185/5) @ Junction Oval

The highest score of the season thus far and arguably the best knock overall belongs to Victorian captain Peter Handscomb. His unbeaten stand of 281 against the ladder leading West Australians could well have yielded more had he not unselfishly declared to give his side a shot at victory on the final day, but that was not to be.

In the same game, another batter with Test experience in Cameron Bancroft tonned up for the opposition, putting on a familiarly formidable opening stand with Sam Whiteman. The former’s best knock of 164* (448) came in a draw against Queensland though, while the latter was man of the match when the Warriors earned an innings win over South Australia, accumulating 193 runs.

Speaking of accumulating runs, Victorian debutant Ashley Chandrasinghe did so in unflappable fashion against Tasmania, ending unbeaten on 119 from 333 deliveries. In response, Tasmania’s Jordan Silk looked to move the game along with a memorable 154* (161) to earn man of the match honours in the draw.

Only one other batter has managed to crack the 200-mark this season, with Matthew Renshaw landing exactly on said figure in a controversial draw against New South Wales. With Queensland well and truly in the box seat, play was called off due to bad light. The Bulls should have collected full points and it would largely have been thanks to Renshaw’s 403-ball dig.

LEADING WICKET TAKERS

Lance Morris (WA) – 27 wickets @ 18.4 | 5/36 BBI | 9/82 BBM | 5W x1
Mark Steketee (QLD) – 25 wickets @ 15.52 | 6/38 BBI | 7/104 BBM | 5W x2
Michael Neser (QLD) – 24 wickets @ 14.5 | 5/36 BBI | 9/70 BBM | 5W x2
Will Sutherland (VIC) – 23 wickets @ 20.34 | 5/58 BBI | 9/115 BBM | 5W x1
Jackson Bird (TAS) – 23 wickets @ 22.30 | 4/13 BBI | 8/67 BBM
Wes Agar (SA) – 23 wickets @ 27.08 | 4/32 BBI | 6/82 BBM

BEST SPELL:

Mark Steketee – 6/38 (13)
Queensland (221 & 97) def. by Western Australia (115 & 7/197) by 3 wickets

There have been 13 five-wicket hauls in Sheffield Shield innings this season, but only one bowler has managed to snare six in one sitting. Queensland’s Mark Steketee did so in the Bulls’ loss to Western Australia, helping restrict the Warriors to a first innings total of just 115 with 6/38.

Along the way, he dislodged the dangerous opening partnership of Bancroft (2) and Whiteman (0), picking up four of WA’s top five batters and bowling six maidens in 13 overs. He also sent gloveman Josh Philippe (1) packing but could not quite back it up in his side’s second bowling innings.

Another of Steketee’s, and the season’s best bowling spells saw the seamer help tear Victoria apart with 5/18 (11). Though, it was partner in crime Michael Neser who took out player of the match honours in the romping win, backing up 4/22 in the first innings with 5/48 in the second.

Matthew Kelly’s 5/34 off 27 overs, including 14 maidens against South Australia is definitely worth a mention. He bagged four poles in the second dig too as WA claimed an innings victory. Then there’s competition leading wicket taker Lance Morris, whose lone five-wicket haul came against NSW.

Speaking of the Blues, Chris Green had a First Class debut to remember with nine wickets split four and five across two innings against the Warriors. His was among a wealth of other bowling performances to have caught the eye this shield season.

REMAINING FIXTURE

Victoria vs. Queensland
Thursday February 9 @ MCG

South Australia vs. Western Australia
Friday February 10 @ Adelaide Oval

New South Wales vs. Tasmania
Saturday February 11 @ SCG

Victoria vs. South Australia
Monday February 20 @ CitiPower Centre

Tasmania vs. Western Australia
Tuesday February 21 @ Blundstone Arena

Queensland vs. New South Wales
Tuesday February 21 @ The Gabba

New South Wales vs. Victoria
Thursday March 2 @ SCG

Queensland vs. South Australia
Thursday March 2 @ The Gabba

Western Australia vs. Tasmania
Thursday March 2 @ WACA Ground

Tasmania vs. Queensland
Tuesday March 14 @ Blundstone Arena

South Australia vs. New South Wales
Tuesday March 14 @ Karen Rolton Oval

Western Australia vs. Victoria
Tuesday March 14 @ WACA Ground

THE FINAL

As is the case in the Marsh One-Day Cup, the top two sides on the ladder at the end of the regular season play off in a decider, with the highest ranked team playing host. This year’s Sheffield Shield final is scheduled to commence on Thursday March 23.