South Australia and Queensland battle for the final spot as Victoria await their opponent

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The final round of the 2025-26 Sheffield Shield season begins on Saturday with the race for the final reaching a thrilling climax. Defending champions South Australia and last season’s runners-up Queensland are competing for the remaining spot in the final alongside Victoria. South Australia currently hold the advantage, as a victory over Victoria would guarantee them a place in the title clash. However, if they slip up, Queensland could move ahead in the standings with a win over Tasmania.

Victoria vs South Australia: Key players return for hosts

Victoria have made a few important changes ahead of their crucial clash against South Australia. Dylan Brasher, who impressed on debut against Queensland, has been recalled to the squad in place of Blake Macdonald. Experienced pacer Scott Boland is also expected to return as the hosts prepare for the upcoming final.

Ollie Peake comes back into the squad after being rested during the previous match against Tasmania following a head knock he sustained against Western Australia. However, Victoria will be without Matt Short, who suffered a finger injury in the previous round. Short would have been unavailable regardless, as he is set to depart soon for IPL commitments.

South Australia will travel to Melbourne without star Test opener Travis Head, who is resting ahead of the IPL season. Head is also unlikely to feature in the final even if South Australia qualify. Mackenzie Harvey is expected to return to the top of the order, while uncapped allrounder Noah McFadyen and seamer Tim Oakley have been added to the squad after impressive performances in domestic cricket.

Tasmania vs Queensland: Queensland boosted by key pace inclusions

Tasmania enter their final match of the season after the disappointment of losing the One-Day Cup final. With their Shield campaign already over, the team has decided to rest several key fast bowlers, including Gabe Bell, Jackson Bird, and Riley Meredith, due to heavy workloads in recent weeks.

Jake Weatherald returns to the side after missing the Victoria match due to back spasms, while Billy Stanlake is also back in the squad after being unavailable in the previous round.

Queensland, meanwhile, have been given a lifeline in the competition after rain denied Western Australia what looked like a certain victory at Allan Border Field in the last round. Their pace attack has received a major boost with Xavier Bartlett returning after the T20 World Cup and experienced seamer Michael Neser also coming back into the squad. Hayden Kerr has recovered from an ankle injury and is available as well.

Young fast bowler Tom Balkin has been included and could make his first-class debut. Jack Clayton and Lachlan Hearne have also returned after injury setbacks. Veteran opener Usman Khawaja is absent as he awaits the birth of his third child. If Queensland reach the final, he is expected to return; otherwise, it could mark the end of his first-class season.

New South Wales vs Western Australia: Cameron Green set for red-ball return

New South Wales’ hopes of reaching the Shield final ended after their defeat against South Australia in the previous round. However, the team recently celebrated success by winning the One-Day Cup. The upcoming match will also mark Greg Shipperd’s final game with the state side.

The NSW squad remains unchanged from the team that lost to South Australia inside three days last week. Jack Edwards has not recovered in time from his hamstring injury and will miss the final round.

Western Australia, meanwhile, will welcome back several key players. Allrounder Cameron Green is set to play his first first-class match since the Ashes before leaving for IPL duty. This appearance will be his only red-ball game before Australia’s next Test series.

Jhye Richardson also returns after being rested in the previous match, while Aaron Hardie has recovered from a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the last two games. Wicketkeeper Joel Curtis returns to the side after Josh Inglis was rested following the Queensland match.

Sheffield Shield Points System Explained

The Sheffield Shield uses a points system that rewards both match results and performances in the first innings. Teams earn six points for a victory and one point for a draw. In addition, bonus points are awarded based on batting and bowling performances during the first 100 overs of the first innings.

Batting bonus points are calculated at 0.01 points for every run scored above 200 during the first 100 overs. For example, a score of 350 in that period would provide 1.5 bonus points. Bowling bonus points are awarded at 0.1 points for each wicket taken within the first 100 overs of the opponent’s first innings, with a maximum of one bonus point available for taking all ten wickets.

With the final round underway and only one spot remaining in the championship match, the Sheffield Shield season is set for an exciting finish as South Australia and Queensland fight to secure their place in the final against Victoria.