Sheffield Shield Final 2017: Victoria Claims A Hattrick Of Shield Titles
Mar 30, 2017 at 4:53 PM
Victoria has claimed a hat-trick of Sheffield Shield titles for the first time in the state’s history. They completed the historic moment after playing out a draw with South Australia at Trager Park, Alice Springs in the finals.
The Bushrangers had won the title on consecutive occasions 6 times in the history of Sheffield Cricket since becoming the champions in the inaugural edition way back in the year 1892. In all, Victoria has won the coveted domestic honour 31 times.
Spinner John Holland, who with figures of 7/82 & 1/70, was named the Man of the Match. His effort also saw him enter the prestigious bunch group of spinners who have registered 50 wickets or more in a season. Holland now proudly sits in the league of legendary names like Tony Lock, Bill O’ Reilly, Stuart MacGill and Chuck Fleetwood-Smith.
Victoria can credit this win to the huge first inning total of 487 they put up after electing to bat first. Openers Marcus Harris (120) and Travis Dean (94) struck solid knocks to lay the platform for the huge score South Australia’s rising fast bowler Chad Sayer picked 7/84 and triggered a lower order collapse.
South Australia, in response, could manage only 287 and gave away a 200 runs advantage, paving the way from Victoria to bat again. The Bushrangers batted on until they were all out for 323 on the final day, taking up the overall lead to 524 runs. Chasing the improbable target, South Australia managed to play out the remaining sessions of the final day and ended at 236/6 with the help of skipper Travis Head’s defiant 137.