In a thrilling Sheffield Shield final, Queensland's Jack Wildermuth and Jack Clayton showcased their batting prowess, leaving South Australia with a monumental task to rewrite history and chase down a daunting target. By the end of day three at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide, Queensland had declared their second innings at 445 all out, establishing a 269-run lead over South Australia, who now face the challenge of achieving the highest successful chase in Shield final history.
Queensland's innings was anchored by the contrasting styles of Wildermuth and Clayton, who both struck centuries to rescue their side from a precarious position. After being bowled out for just 95 in their first innings, Queensland found themselves in dire straits at 6-221, leading by a mere 45 runs. However, the partnership between Clayton and Wildermuth, which yielded 103 runs, turned the tide in favor of the Bulls.
Clayton's gritty knock of 100 runs came off 249 balls, while Wildermuth's explosive innings of 111 runs off just 140 deliveries included 18 boundaries. "It's kind of yin and yang, the way I bat and he bats," Clayton remarked about his partnership with Wildermuth. "He's obviously a lot more aggressive than me, he just comes out there and sees ball, hits ball. When he's on a heater, he's really on a heater, and the way he batted today was fantastic. He played without fear."
Despite their impressive performances, the day did not belong solely to the Queensland batsmen. South Australia's Brendan Doggett continued to impress, completing a remarkable 10-wicket match haul. He finished with match figures of 11-140, including 6-31 in the first innings and 5-109 in the second. Doggett's efforts not only highlight his skill but also place him among the elite bowlers in Sheffield Shield history, joining Tasmania's Shane Jurgensen as the only bowlers to achieve such a feat in a final.
South Australia had initially established a strong position in the match, thanks to Jake Lehmann's century in the first innings, where he scored 102 runs. His performance helped South Australia to a first-innings total of 271, giving them a 176-run lead heading into Queensland's second innings. After Queensland's dismal first innings, where they struggled against Doggett and the SA attack, Lehmann's century was pivotal in setting up the match.
Queensland's fightback began with Marnus Labuschagne, who scored a crucial 61 runs, helping the Bulls to wipe off the first-innings deficit. Labuschagne's innings included eight boundaries and was marked by a no-ball reprieve that allowed him to continue after appearing to be dismissed early on. However, he eventually fell to Doggett, who claimed the wicket just before stumps on day two.
As the match progressed, Queensland's batting lineup showed resilience, with Jack Clayton and Wildermuth leading the charge. Following Clayton's dismissal, Wildermuth continued to pile on the runs, reaching his century with a flurry of boundaries. His innings was not just about runs; it was also a display of confidence and aggression, epitomized by a moment where he celebrated his century by rocking his bat as if cradling a baby, a nod to his two young daughters.
Alongside Wildermuth, Mark Steketee contributed a valuable 51 runs, forming a significant partnership that further bolstered Queensland's lead. Their collective efforts have set up a daunting target for South Australia, who now need to chase down 270 runs to secure their first Sheffield Shield title since the 1995-96 season.
South Australia vice-captain Ben Manenti remains optimistic despite the odds stacked against them. "We knew that Queensland weren't going to roll over," he said. "We have believed all season that we can win from anywhere, and this certainly isn't the furthest we've been behind the game, if we're behind it all. We have got 260-odd to chase, and the Shield is ours. It won't be easy, but it's still a beautiful cricket wicket to bat on."
As the final day approaches, all eyes will be on the South Australian batsmen, including Conor McInerney and Henry Hunt, who will need to anchor their innings and build partnerships to chase down the target. The pressure is on, and the cricketing world will be watching to see if they can defy history and clinch the title.
With the match poised for a thrilling conclusion, the stage is set for a dramatic finish in this Sheffield Shield final. Can South Australia break their 29-year title drought, or will Queensland emerge victorious and claim their first Shield title since the 2020-21 season? One thing is for sure: the excitement is palpable as the final day of this gripping contest unfolds.
