WESTERN Australia will host the 2022/23 Sheffield Shield final, but the last round of matches will decide the Warriors’ opponent for the March 23 decider. In a triple-header of matches starting tomorrow, Queensland and Victoria are set to vie for the all important second spot, while the boffins’ calculators get a workout over the next four days.

The second-placed Bulls travel down to Tasmania, essentially needing to win the match at Blundstone Arena but also having to keep an eye on the bonus point situation. Victoria, currently occupying third spot, faces an undoubtedly tougher test in needing to take down WA at the WACA, while also making up 0.37 bonus points if both teams win.

We run you through all the scenarios, team news and form guides ahead of the final Sheffield Shield round for the season – a delicately poised one at that.

STANDINGS

1. Western Australia (6-2-1) – 50.6 points
2. Queensland (4-3-2) – 39.09
3. Victoria (4-3-2) – 38.73
4. South Australia (2-3-4) – 26.09
5. Tasmania (2-3-4) – 25
6. New South Wales (0-4-5) – 13.42

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.

FIXTURE

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

SCENARIOS

CLEAR CUT:

Queensland wins & Victoria loses = Western Australia vs. Queensland final
Queensland loses & Victoria wins = Western Australia vs. Victoria final

COMPLICATED:

IF Queensland wins & Victoria wins: Victoria must make up at least 0.37 bonus points to reach the final

IF Queensland draws & Victoria draws: it comes down to bonus points

IF Queensland loses & Victoria draws: Queensland needs to make up 0.64 bonus points to reach the final

PREVIEWS

TASMANIA vs. QUEENSLAND

The scenario seems simple enough for Queensland, with the Bulls needing to at least win and possibly win well to secure a spot in the decider. They’re ahead of the game heading into the final round, but things can change quickly.

Tasmania will look to play spoiler at Blundstone Arena having notched up just two wins for the season, placing the Tigers in fifth. They’ll be up against it without Australian ODI inclusion Nathan Ellis and Peter Siddle in their bowling attack, while Matthew Wade is also out due to PSL commitments. 

Queensland has made a couple of its own changes. Australia A squad member Xavier Bartlett will have his workload managed, seeing seamers Gurinder Sandhu and Liam Guthrie enter the 13-man squad.

A pair of Queensland quicks will also be chasing their own slice of history. Michael Neser and Mark Steketee may become the first two Bulls bowlers to both surpass 40 wickets in a Sheffield Shield season.

Tasmania: Jordan Silk (c), Jackson Bird, Jake Doran, Jarrod Freeman, Caleb Jewell, Riley Meredith, Lawrence Neil-Smith, Tim Paine, Charlie Wakim, Tim Ward, Beau Webster, Mac Wright

Queensland: Jimmy Peirson (c), Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Jack Clayton, Liam Guthrie, Sam Heazlett, Aryan Jain, Michael Neser, Gurinder Sandhu, Jackson Sinfield, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street, Jack Wildermuth

SOUTH AUSTRALIA vs. NEW SOUTH WALES

In what is effectively the dead rubber of the round, there is still plenty to play for as South Australia hosts New South Wales at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide. The Blues are looking to avoid their second-ever winless Shield season, having done so for the one and only time back in 1938-39.

A new look visiting side will be without captain Kurtis Patterson, who has been dropped alongside opening Blake Nikitaras. In-form opener Daniel Hughes (calf) will also be unavailable along with recent retiree Trent Copeland.

Moises Henriques comes into the side, and Jason Sangha joins him as batting support as bowlers Blake Macdonald and Ryan Hadley also enter the fray.

Meanwhile, the Redbacks are chasing their third win of the season but will have to do so without rested quick Wes Agar. Batter Kelvin Smith also comes into the lineup after replacing Jake Carder (hamstring) minutes before last week’s Marsh One-Day Cup final.

South Australia: Wes Agar, Jordan Buckingham, Daniel Drew, Henry Hunt, Spencer Johnson, Jake Lehmann (c), Ben Manenti, Nathan McAndrew, Nathan McSweeney, Harry Nielsen (wk), Lloyd Pope, Liam Scott, Kelvin Smith

New South Wales: Ollie Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hackney, Ryan Hadley, Moises Henriques (c), Hayden Kerr, Blake MacDonald, Jason Sangha, Chris Tremain

WESTERN AUSTRALIA vs. VICTORIA

Victoria will be out to take down a somewhat weakened West Australian lineup at the WACA, in hopes of winning big enough to set up an immediate rematch in the final. Depending on how Queensland fares, the Vics could jump into second spot at the death and play in their second-straight Shield decider.

In a boost for the challengers, Scott Boland has been released from the Test squad to play tomorrow. He replaced young gun Sam Elliott in the 13-man squad. Meanwhile, WA will regain Josh Philippe after he took out player of the tournament honours in the 50-over format.

The Warriors will be without Marsh One-Day Cup final hero Josh Inglis and recent Shield centurion Mitch Marsh, both of whom will be on international duties. Quicks Joel Paris (back) and Matt Kelly will also miss, with David Moody returning and fellow pacer Liam Haskett also named in the squad for a potential debut.

Western Australia: Sam Whiteman (c), Cam Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Cam Gannon, Aaron Hardie, Liam Haskett, David Moody, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Charlie Stobo, Ashton Turner, Teague Wyllie

Victoria: Will Sutherland (c), Scott Boland, Ashley Chandrasinghe, Travis Dean, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Jon Holland, Campbell Kellaway, Cam McClure, Fergus O’Neill, Mitch Perry, James Seymour, Matt Short