In a thrilling conclusion to the Sheffield Shield final, South Australia has ended a 29-year title drought by defeating Queensland in a gripping match at Karen Rolton Oval. The victory, achieved on March 29, 2025, marks South Australia's first Sheffield Shield title since the 1995-96 season, a feat celebrated by a raucous home crowd as they stormed the field to honor their champions.
Jason Sangha was the star of the day, scoring a brilliant 126 not out, and hitting the winning runs that sealed the four-wicket triumph. Sangha's performance was complemented by Alex Carey, who contributed a vital 105 runs, forming a monumental partnership of 202 runs that propelled South Australia to victory. "It feels amazing to finally lift the Shield after so long," Sangha said after the match, visibly emotional as he celebrated with teammates and fans.
The final day began with South Australia needing 270 runs to win after Queensland had set a daunting target. The home team faced early challenges, quickly finding themselves at 3-28, raising concerns among their supporters. However, the resilience shown by Sangha and Carey transformed the game, as they built a formidable stand that turned the tide in South Australia's favor.
Queensland had earlier struggled in the first innings, bowled out for just 95 runs, marking the lowest-ever first innings score in a Sheffield Shield final. South Australia capitalized on this, responding with 271 runs and establishing a commanding 176-run lead. Brendan Doggett was instrumental for the home side, taking 6 wickets in the first innings and adding 5 more in the second, finishing with match figures of 11-140, the best ever recorded in a Sheffield Shield final.
Despite their dismal start in the second innings, South Australia's batting lineup showed grit. After losing both openers cheaply, Sangha and Carey steadied the ship. "We knew we had to dig deep and stay calm under pressure," Carey stated. His experience proved crucial as he guided the younger Sangha through the tense moments of the chase.
As the partnership flourished, the atmosphere at Karen Rolton Oval became electric, with fans rallying behind their team. The tension peaked when South Australia lost a couple of quick wickets after the partnership, but Sangha remained unfazed, focusing on the task at hand. "We just kept telling each other to stay in the moment and take it ball by ball," Sangha remarked.
Queensland's bowlers, led by Brendan Doggett, who took a total of 11 wickets in the match, made valiant efforts to break the partnership and turn the tide back in their favor. However, the combination of Sangha and Carey proved too strong. Doggett expressed pride in his performance, stating, "It’s disappointing to lose, but we fought hard and gave it our all. We can take a lot from this match moving forward."
Jack Wildermuth and Jack Clayton, who scored centuries for Queensland, provided a glimmer of hope during their innings. Wildermuth scored 111 runs while Clayton contributed 100 runs, helping Queensland recover from their initial collapse. Their efforts set a challenging target for the South Australians, but ultimately it was not enough.
The match was not just a battle of skill but also a test of psychological strength. South Australia’s coach, Ryan Harris, instilled a belief in his players that they could win from any position, a mantra that resonated throughout the season. "We’ve been in tough situations before, and we’ve learned to trust our abilities," Harris said. "Today, they showed what they are capable of when the pressure is on."
As the match drew to a close, the excitement reached a fever pitch. Sangha's winning runs came in the 49th over of the innings, when he clipped a delivery from Queensland's Callum Vidler off his pads for four runs, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The moment was a culmination of hard work, determination, and the relentless pursuit of a long-awaited title.
With the win, South Australia not only secured the Sheffield Shield but also solidified their position as a force in Australian domestic cricket. The victory is a testament to the team's resilience and their ability to overcome adversity, a story that will be remembered for years to come.
Looking ahead, both teams will reflect on their performances as they prepare for future competitions. For South Australia, the triumph serves as a springboard for further success, while Queensland will seek to regroup and learn from their experiences in this final. The 2024-25 Sheffield Shield final will be remembered not just for its outcome but for the drama and excitement that unfolded on the field.
