TASMANIA is locked into a spot in the 2023/24 Sheffield Shield final, though hosting rights and one more place in the decider remain up for grabs next week. A mouthwatering clash between Western Australia and Victoria is likely to make all the difference – check out how as we delve into each contender.

STANDINGS

1. Tasmania | 5-1-3 | 46.36 points
2. Western Australia | 4-2-3 | 40.49 points
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3. Victoria | 4-3-2 | 37.94 points
4. New South Wales | 3-3-3 | 34.15 points
5. South Australia | 2-6-1 | 25.78 points
6. Queensland | 2-5-2 | 24.84 points

Records listed as wins-losses-draws.

REMAINING FIXTURES

All fixtures scheduled for March 11-14

Tasmania (1st) vs. South Australia (5th)
Blundstone Arena, Hobart

Victoria (3rd) vs. Western Australia (2nd)
CitiPower Centre, Melbourne

Queensland (6th) vs. New South Wales (4th)
Allan Border Field, Brisbane

THE FINAL: 1st vs. 2nd, March 21-24

THE RUN HOME

With Tasmania officially in the final, three other teams will be competing for the remaining spot. Second and third do battle in next week’s triple-header for what is likely to be the deciding fixture, though New South Wales also remains a mathematical chance of qualifying. Meanwhile, South Australia and Queensland are out of the running.

TASMANIA (IN)
1st | 5-1-3 | 46.36 points
Final fixture: vs. South Australia, @ Blundstone Arena

Tasmania qualified for its first Sheffield Shield final since 2017/18, but is yet to lock in hosting rights as the ladder leading side. The Tigers were always going to be in the box seat to do so with a pair of home fixtures to finish the regular season, though South Australia will look to play spoiler next week. A win guarantees top spot, so the Tigers’ fate is in their hands.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
2nd | 4-2-3 | 40.49 points
Final fixture: vs. Victoria @ CitiPower Centre

Western Australia is defending its crown and needs a win or draw to ensure the dream of a third consecutive title remains alive. After getting past Queensland last time out, an away game against the third-placed Victoria looms as the ultimate do-or-die clash. It won’t be easy for the Warriors, but they’ve been here before and certainly know what it takes.

VICTORIA
3rd | 4-3-2 | 37.94 points
Final fixture: vs. Western Australia @ CitiPower Centre

Victoria was outdone by Tasmania across Bass Strait last week and that means a win against Western Australia is the only way to make the final. The Vics were also left to rue a missed opportunity against New South Wales, where the fickle Sydney weather robbed them of a likely victory. The equation is simple now – win or go (stay) home next week.

NEW SOUTH WALES
4th | 3-3-3 | 34.15 points
Final fixture: vs. Queensland @ Allan Border Field

New South Wales’ hopes of reaching the final were dealt a significant blow by last week’s draw with South Australia. The Blues have a very feint glimmer of hope should they trounce Queensland in their final fixture, needing a draw in the Western Australia-Victoria clash and enough bonus points to scrape into second place. Unlikely, but not out of the equation.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA (OUT)
5th | 2-6-1 | 25.78 points
Final fixture: vs. Tasmania @ Blundstone Arena

It has been a disappointing campaign for South Australia across both the red and white ball competitions this season, though the Redbacks could yet play spoiler to a couple of teams. They hung on for a draw against New South Wales and could prevent Tasmania from claiming first place, meaning there remains something to play for – not to mention avoiding bottom spot.

QUEENSLAND (OUT)
6th | 2-5-2 | 24.84 points
Final fixture: vs. New South Wales @ Allan Border Field

Much like South Australia, Queensland will mostly be playing for pride and to quash the hopes of their rivals. The Bulls could climb off bottom spot with a win or draw and would put New South Wales out of the running with either result. After pushing Western Australia until after tea on day four, they could well make something happen back on home turf.