VICTORIA and Queensland will vie for a Sheffield Shield final berth in the last round of the 2022/23 season, with only one place in the decider up for grabs. Second spot is currently occupied by the Bulls, who need to win or hope third placed Victoria loses in the Shield triple-header starting on March 14.

Victoria will have to knock off ladder leader and reigning champion, Western Australia to make it into the March 23 final, where the two sides may well meet again. The Vics have won their last four matches, while Queensland has fought to memorable five-wicket victories in its last two outings.

It matters little in the context of the final round, but two sides have met twice this season. Queensland won by an innings in the first encounter back in November 2022, before Victoria exacted revenge at the MCG nearly a month ago.

Against the mighty Western Australia, which is perhaps the more pertinent piece of context, Queensland holds a loss and a draw. Victoria also managed a draw against the Warriors this season, but will have to go one better in their upcoming encounter. Only South Australia has beaten WA in 2022/23.

The Bulls’ batting stocks have waned this season with the likes of Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Matt Renshaw all on Test duties, as well as spinners Mitch Swepson and Matt Kuhnemann. Jimmy Peirson has the most runs of any Bull with 454 at an average of 57, while seam duo Michael Neser (40) and Mark Steketee (37) lead the competition for wickets.

Victoria boasts an in-form bunch, arguably none more so than Matt Short. The star allrounder has notched up consecutive centuries for a tally of 479 at 61 per knock, picking up where Peter Handscomb left off. Stand-in skipper Will Sutherland is the Vics’ leading wicket taker with 33, and has been supported well by fellow seamers Mitchell Perry and Fergus O’Neill.

While Western Australia has been clear atop the table, with Queensland and Victoria becoming the best of the rest, the bottom half of the ladder has also taken shape. Tasmania could play spoiler against the Bulls and climb off second-bottom spot, while South Australia and wooden spooner New South Wales will hope to finish their seasons on a positive note.

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

THE FINAL

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.