In a thrilling conclusion to the Sheffield Shield final in Adelaide, South Australia made history by successfully chasing down a record 269 runs to claim their first Sheffield Shield title in nearly three decades. This nail-biting finale saw South Australia score 270-6 in their second innings, overcoming Queensland by four wickets on the fourth day of the anticipated five-day event.
Key to this victory was an extraordinary unbeaten 126-run performance by Jason Sangha, supported by a century from Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who contributed 105 runs. The duo’s impressive 202-run partnership laid the foundation for South Australia’s historic win.
Sangha clinched the victory with a strike from Callum Vidler’s delivery, sending the ball off his pads to score the final four runs. As the match concluded at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide, hundreds of fans stormed the pitch to celebrate the remarkable triumph.
Returning fresh from international duties and the Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan, where Australia was bested by India in the semifinals, the 33-year-old Carey showcased his undeniable talent and experience.
Queensland, in their first innings, faced a disheartening setback as they were bowled out for a paltry 95, marking the lowest innings total for any team batting first in a Shield final, where Australian state sides vie for the title. South Australia responded with 271 all out in return.
Despite Queensland seeming defeated at 221-6 in their second innings, just 45 runs in front at lunch on the third day, they staged a resurgence. Centuries from Jack Wildermuth (111) and Jack Clayton (100) fueled a formidable comeback, enabling Queensland to build a lead of 269 runs with a total of 445 in their second innings.
The prior highest successful run chase in a Shield final was Victoria’s 239-2 against New South Wales in the 1990-91 season.
For South Australia, Jake Lehmann, son of the state’s cricket legend and former Australian national coach Darren Lehmann, who was part of the last Shield-winning team in the 1995-96 season, also made a mark by scoring 102 in the first innings.