South Australia may miss Brendan Doggett while Victoria weigh up dropping Mitchell Perry or Sam Elliott in a tight selection race

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South Australia are likely to be without key pacer Brendan Doggett for the upcoming Sheffield Shield final, dealing a potential blow ahead of the crucial clash. Head coach Ryan Harris admitted that Doggett’s availability remains doubtful, with fitness concerns still unresolved despite earlier optimism.

Doggett is expected to undergo further medical assessment, and while he has continued bowling, the final decision will depend on scans and his ability to sustain workloads across consecutive days. Harris emphasized that the team is unlikely to take risks in a high-stakes final, even with substitution rules available.

Meanwhile, South Australia could receive a boost with Wes Agar nearing full fitness after managing a back issue. The conditions at Junction Oval, which recently offered assistance to spinners, may also influence selection strategy, bringing options like Lloyd Pope and all-rounders Nathan McSweeney and Ben Manenti into consideration.

Victoria, on the other hand, face a selection dilemma of their own. Coach Chris Rogers confirmed that one of Mitchell Perry or Sam Elliott is likely to miss out to accommodate Fergus O’Neill in the final XI.

Both Perry and Elliott have been standout performers this season, with impressive bowling averages and consistent wicket-taking ability. Elliott has claimed 33 wickets at an average of 17.18, while Perry has taken 32 wickets at 21.75, making the decision particularly challenging for the selectors.

Rogers acknowledged the difficulty of the call, stating that both players have earned their place through strong performances. However, he emphasized that such tough decisions are part of professional sport, especially in high-pressure fixtures like a Shield final.

The final also presents a significant opportunity for emerging players to catch the attention of national selectors. Rogers highlighted that strong performances under pressure could pave the way for future selection in the Australian Test squad, underlining the importance of the match as a proving ground.

With both teams juggling key selection decisions and conditions likely to play a role, the Sheffield Shield final promises to be a closely contested and high-intensity encounter.