In a thrilling climax to the Sheffield Shield final, South Australia has emerged victorious against Queensland, clinching the title for the first time in 29 years. The match, held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide, saw South Australia chase down a target of 270 runs, marking the highest successful run chase in the history of Shield finals.
Jason Sangha was the star of the show, scoring an unbeaten 126 runs, while his teammate Alex Carey contributed a vital 105 runs. Together, they formed a remarkable partnership of 202 runs, guiding their team to a total of 270 for 6, securing a four-wicket victory on day four of the decider.
This achievement is particularly significant as it not only ends a long drought for the South Australian side but also sees them holding both the Sheffield Shield and the one-day trophy in the same season, having previously defeated Victoria in the 50-over final on March 1, 2025.
After a shaky start, where South Australia found themselves struggling at 3 for 28, Sangha and Carey steadied the ship, showcasing their skills and determination. Sangha's century came off 158 balls, featuring 16 fours and two sixes, while Carey celebrated his fourth century in just five Shield matches this season.
Earlier in the match, Brendan Doggett had put in an exceptional performance with the ball for South Australia, claiming 11 wickets for 140 runs, including 6 for 31 in Queensland's first innings. This performance set a record for the best match figures in a Shield final, as Queensland was bundled out for a mere 95 runs, the lowest total by any state batting first in a Shield decider.
In response, South Australia managed to score 271 runs in their first innings, powered by Jake Lehmann's impressive knock of 102 runs. However, Queensland fought back in their second innings, thanks to centuries from Jack Wildermuth and Jack Clayton, who scored 111 and 100 runs respectively, leading their team to a total of 445 and setting South Australia a challenging target.
As the final day unfolded, South Australia faced a daunting task after losing three wickets early. The pressure intensified when Sangha, on 13 runs, was dropped by Ben McDermott at second slip off the bowling of Mark Steketee, who finished with figures of 3 for 40.
Despite the early setbacks, Sangha and Carey remained composed, turning the tide in favor of South Australia. Carey's innings concluded when he was bowled by Steketee, leaving 40 runs still needed for victory. This left Sangha to lead the charge, and he fittingly struck the winning runs, sealing a historic victory for South Australia.
The win was met with jubilant celebrations from the players and fans alike, marking a significant moment in South Australian cricket history. "What a day for all SA supporters! Well done to Ryan Harris, the staff, and the players who were the best team all year," tweeted former player Darren Lehmann, reflecting the pride and joy of the moment.
As South Australia lifts the Shield, the team looks forward to building on this success in future seasons, with hopes of continuing their strong form and adding more silverware to their cabinet. With the combination of emerging talents like Sangha and seasoned players like Carey, the future looks bright for South Australian cricket.
