SOUTH Australia has locked in a home final in the 2024/25 Sheffield Shield, but four other contenders are looking to join them in the decider. Only one round remains in the home-and-away campaign, with 4.31 points separating second to fifth and Tasmania (sixth) the sole side out of the running.

>> LATEST: South Australia secures home Shield final

STANDINGS

RECORDS LISTED W-D-L

1. South Australia | 6-2-1 | 51.76 points
2. Queensland | 3-3-3 | 36.8 points
3. New South Wales | 3-3-3 | 35.39 points
4. Western Australia | 3-3-3 | 34.43 points
5. Victoria | 3-1-5 | 32.49 points
6. Tasmania | 2-2-5 | 27.61 points

Win = 6 points | Draw/No Result/Tie = 1 point

BONUS POINTS:
Batting: 0.01 of a bonus point for every run over 200 in the first 100 overs of their first innings.
Bowling: 0.1 of a bonus point for every wicket in the first 100 overs of opponent’s first innings.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

RECORD: 1st | 6-2-1 | 51.76 points

REMAINING FIXTURE:
vs. Queensland @ Karen Rolton Oval, March 15-18

Having had one foot in a home final heading into the penultimate round, South Australia has officially secured hosting rights with one game to spare. The SACAs will play their first decider in Adelaide since 2017/18, though the venue is still yet to be determined with Adelaide Oval’s availability pending AFL use. Otherwise, Karen Rolton Oval looks set to be the landing spot. SA will be hunting a domestic double having already lifted the Dean Jones Trophy (One-Day), and will have the chance to do so regardless of the result in its final fixture against Queensland from March 15-18.

QUEENSLAND

RECORD: 2nd | 3-3-3 | 36.8 points

FIXTURES:
vs. South Australia @ Karen Rolton Oval, March 15-18

Queensland bounced back from an innings defeat to Western Australia with its comprehensive nine-wicket win over Tasmania, which dashed the Tigers’ top two hopes. The Bulls snatched the box seat from New South Wales and WA, who played to a draw, but faces a tough ask in holding it. A road trip to South Australia faces Queensland, who will be pushing hard for a result and effective replay against SA in the final. After Usman Khawaja returned to the fold with a first innings ton in Hobart, fellow Test star Marnus Labuschagne is also a possibility to play out the remainder of the Shield season. Win, and they are more than likely in – pending the effect of bonus points.

NEW SOUTH WALES

RECORD: 3rd | 3-3-3 | 35.39 points

REMAINING FIXTURE:
vs. Tasmania @ Bellerive Oval, March 15-18

A draw with Western Australia saw New South Wales drop to third place, though the Blues stand a great chance of snatching back second. Less than one-and-a-half points separates them and Queensland, with Western Australia lurking a further 0.96 points behind. Even if the Bulls beat South Australia, NSW can jump into the final on the back of further bonus points, or if Queensland plays to a draw. Tasmania, a last-place side with nothing to lose, stands in the way of the Blues doing so in their day-night clash at Bellerive Oval. Fate is somewhat in NSW’s hands, but winning big won’t be easy.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

RECORD: 4th | 3-3-3 | 34.43 points

REMAINING FIXTURE:
vs. Victoria @ WACA Ground, March 15-18

Chasing an unprecedented fourth-consecutive Sheffield Shield crown in the six-team era, Western Australia will have to come from a fair way back just to qualify for the final. Blessed with a pair of home fixtures to see out the season, WA fought back from a first innings deficit to draw with New South Wales, but will need to beat Victoria and hope other results go their way in the final round. Should the WACAs win, they’ll hope Tasmania and South Australia can topple New South Wales and Queensland respectively, or play out to draws, to slide into second. After Sam Whiteman and Cameron Bancroft made returns, recent Test debutant Cooper Connolly is a chance to appear in the final round.

VICTORIA

RECORD: 5th | 3-1-5 | 32.49 points

REMAINING FIXTURE:
vs. Western Australia @ WACA Ground, March 15-18

Victoria is well and truly up against it in its pursuit to go from fifth to second in the final round. After failing to defend a 300-run buffer against South Australia, the Vics head over to Perth and put it all on the line against a West Australian side which has won the last three titles. Victoria has played out to the least draws (one) of any team but has lost four on the trot having qualified for three of the last four finals. The Vics will need to beat WA and hope South Australia and Tasmania can beat Queensland and New South Wales respectively – given the bonus points situation, draws will likely not save them.

TASMANIA

RECORD: 6th | 2-2-5 | 27.61 points

REMAINING FIXTURE:
vs. New South Wales @ Bellerive Oval, March 15-18

Tasmania is the only team out of the running for a place in the final, but can still have a significant say on which other sides qualify. The Tigers’ title chase was cut short after they were smashed by Queensland to the tune of nine wickets in Hobart. Bellerive Oval again sets the scene as they host New South Wales, with the home side in prime position to play spoiler. They have nothing to lose.

ALL REMAINING FIXTURES

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:
South Australia vs. 2nd, March 26-30 @ TBC