Sheffield Shield finale

Well my good friends as an antidote to the ODI misery of England here's a note and photos on NSW v. Tasmania which leads into this week's fascinating end to the Sheffield Shield season

Neil Dudley from West Bridgfordians CC  joined with me on Saturday in visiting Bankstown Oval in Sydney's west to watch Day 3 of this key fixture. Free entry and warm sunshine failed to bring out members of the local community sadly. We enjoyed watching NSW's Stephen O'Keefe and Gurinder Sandhu batting at 8 and 9 respectively completely turn the game in the Blues' favour. O'Keefe made 87 and was later named MOM whilst Gurinder Sandhu hit 97 not out. Unfortunately Doug Bollinger was castled for a duck by Rainbird to put an end to the innings before Sandhu could make his maiden State century. We remained at the ground until tea , long enough to see Ed Cowan bat...possibly for the last time as a State player...we shall see. He has announced that he is returning to his home city of Sydney to be with his family. There has been no news on him featuring for NSW and the report I read here indicated he would be playing Grade cricket for Sydney University come the next Australian summer.

In Tasmania's second innings Nathan Lyon and Doug Bollinger featured prominently with the ball as the visitors were dismissed for 183 . Henry and Carters easily reached the target of 27 so NSW won by 10 wickets.

NSW 394 & 0/27

Tasmania 237 & 183

Table top       

1. Victoria 48.54      

2. Western Australia 48.48

3. New South Wales 44.82

Last fixtures:

Western Australia v. New South Wales at WACA

Victoria v. Tasmania at Alice Springs

both games start on Friday 13th March

the winning State hosts the Sheffield Shield Final v. runners-up

States hosting World Cup matches at eg MCG and SCG have moved games to alternative venues  

AM