Squads confirmed for Sheffield Shield final
Nathan McSweeney and Alex Carey are among the final fourteen ready to take on Queensland for the Sheffield Shield title, as Usman Khawaja returns.
Nathan McSweeney will lead team South Australia alongside wicketkeeper Alex Carey, when they take on Australian teammates Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja in the Sheffield Shield final against Queensland.
The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) confirmed the fourteen players in the squad competing for the title at Karen Rolton Oval starting on Wednesday.
Batsmen McSweeney, Henry Hunt, Jake Lehmann, Conor McInerney and Jason Sangha are joined by wicketkeeper batsmen Carey and Harry Nielsen, allrounders Liam Scott, Ben Manenti and Nathan McAndrew and bowlers Jordan Buckingham, Brendan Doggett, Henry Thornton and Lloyd Pope.
Ahead of the announcement, former Australian Test bowler and SA head coach Ryan Harris said there would be some selection heartbreak.
“If you are having those tough discussions, we’re playing well,” he said.
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“We had to go through that with the one-day final, we had to leave Wes Agar out for instance.
“It’s a tough conversation to have and I hate having them, but you got to do it.”
Finishing top of the Shield standings, SA are looking to win their first championship since the 1995-96 season, while Queensland will be chasing its tenth Shield title.
Last week, the Queensland Bulls released their squad, naming Labuschagne as captain and a returning Khawaja.
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Batsmen Labuschagne and Khawaja will compete alongside Matthew Renshaw, Tom Straker, Jack Clayton, Lachlan Hearne, Angus Lovell, Ben McDermott, wicketkeeper batter Jimmy Peirson, allrounders Michael Neser, Jack Wildermuth and bowlers Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson and Callum Vidler.
Queensland secured their place in the final when other results fell their way, following last week’s draw with SA.
The AFL denied a request to hold the Sheffield Shield at Adelaide Oval. Image: Matt Turner/AAP
On Tuesday, the state government announced the capacity at Karen Rolton Oval had been increased from 5000 to 10,000 for the event, with additional seating, restroom facilities, food trucks and beverage vans.
SACA President Will Rayner said the investment was made to ensure thousands of fans could support SA in the historic final.
“We want this to be a match for all South Australians to enjoy, and this is why we’ve thrown open the gates for free admission across the five days of cricket,” he said.
Earlier this month, AFL refused to allow the decider to be wedged between AFL games at Adelaide Oval, despite previous calls from the SACA and Premier Peter Malinauskas.
A spokesperson told InDaily that while disappointed in the decision, the state government is grateful the AFL considered the proposal.
“We are disappointed in the decision given it was the view of Adelaide Oval and its world-renowned head curator in Damien Hough, that it was feasible to host the Sheffield Shield final without compromising the standards required for all AFL fixtures,” the spokesperson said.
The Sheffield Shield final will take place from March 26-30. More match day information can be found here.
