THE 2024/25 Sheffield Shield season has passed its halfway point, with all six states having played six matches apiece. They have another four of fixtures remaining each, with a quartet of triple-headers marching the competition towards its conclusion in the March 26-29 Final.

Picking up again in February 2025, this year’s title race remains relatively open. South Australia and Victoria currently lead the way with three wins apiece, while New South Wales and defending champion Western Australia head the trailing pack. The latter is searching for a fourth-straight crown.

Queensland recently picked up its first win of the season, leaving Tasmania rooted to last place. With plenty of old and new faces impressing on the Australian domestic scene, we take you through the state of play for the latest Shield season and what’s to come once it resumes.

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STANDINGS

Records ordered Wins-Draws-Losses

1. South Australia (3-2-1, 29.93 points)
2. Victoria (3-1-2, 28.06)
3. New South Wales (2-2-2, 24.2)
4. Western Australia (2-2-2, 23.91)
5. Queensland (1-3-2, 19.31)
6. Tasmania (1-2-3, 18.65)

Win = 6 points | Draw/No Result/Tie = 1 point
Batting & Bowling bonus points also awarded

>> State of Play: 2024/25 One-Day Cup

LEADING RUN SCORERS

MOST RUNS:

Henry Hunt (SA) – 537 runs @ 44.75 | 136 HS | 50 x2, 100 x3
Hilton Cartwright (WA) – 530 runs @ 50.66 | 153 HS | 50 x2, 100 x1
Kurtis Patterson (NSW) – 527 runs @ 105.40 | 167* HS | 50 x4, 100 x1
Peter Handscomb (VIC) – 478 runs @ 47.80 | 129 HS | 50 x4, 100 x1
Sam Konstas (NSW) – 471 runs @ 58.87 | 152 HS | 50 x2, 100 x2

TOP KNOCKS:

Jake Weatherald (TAS) – 186 (204) vs. QLD @ Allan Border Field
Kurtis Patterson (NSW) – 167* (255) vs. WA @ SCG
Hilton Cartwright (WA) – 153 (278) vs. TAS @ Bellerive Oval
Sam Konstas (NSW) – 152 (241) vs. SA @ Cricket Central
Jason Sangha (SA) – 151 (257) vs. TAS @ Bellerive Oval

LEADING WICKET TAKERS

MOST WICKETS:

Jackson Bird (NSW) – 22 wickets @ 14.86 | 4W x1, 5W x1
Fergus O’Neill (VIC) – 22 wickets @ 19.31 | 4W x2, 5W x1
Jack Edwards (NSW) – 20 wickets @ 21.60 | 4W x1, 5W x2
Nathan McAndrew (SA) – 20 wickets @ 23.65 | 4W x1, 5W x1
Sam Elliott (VIC) – 19 wickets @ 22.31 | 4W x3

BEST FIGURES (INNINGS):

Jackson Bird (NSW) – 7-46 (15) vs. SA @ Karen Rolton Oval
Lloyd Pope (SA) – 6-74 (30.5) vs. NSW @ Adelaide Oval
Mitchell Starc (NSW) – 6-81 (17.5) vs. VIC @ MCG
Xavier Bartlett (QLD) – 5-32 (13) vs. VIC @ MCG
Mitchell Perry (VIC) – 5-33 (14) vs. QLD @ MCG

BEST FIGURES (MATCH):

Jackson Bird (NSW) – 11-111 (32.3) vs. SA @ Karen Rolton Oval
Jack Edwards (NSW) – 10-82 (42.5) vs. WA @ SCG
Fergus O’Neill (VIC) – 9-73 (31.1) vs. QLD @ MCG
Nathan McAndrew (SA) – 8-93 (37) vs. QLD @ Allan Border Field
Tom Whitney (QLD) – 8-119 (30) vs. SA @ Allan Border Field

REMAINING FIXTURES

February 8-11:
Tasmania vs. Victoria @ Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Queensland vs. New South Wales @ The Gabba, Brisbane
Western Australia vs. South Australia @ WACA Ground, Perth

February 18-21:
New South Wales vs. Victoria @ SCG, Sydney
Queensland vs. Western Australia @ The Gabba, Brisbane
South Australia vs. Tasmania @ Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

March 6-9:
Victoria vs. South Australia @ TBC
Tasmania vs. Queensland @ Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Western Australia vs. New South Wales @ WACA Ground, Perth

March 15-18:
South Australia vs. Queensland @ Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide
Western Australia vs. Victoria @ WACA Ground, Perth
Tasmania vs. New South Wales @ Bellerive Oval, Hobart

THE FINAL

1st vs. 2nd
March 26-29 @ TBC

It’s a straightforward format for finals in Australian first class cricket. The two teams with the most home-and-away points will meet in a one-off final to decide who takes home the 2023/24 Sheffield Shield title. The minor premier (first place) earns hosting rights for the fixture starting on Wednesday March 26.