{"id":859382,"date":"2026-03-30T01:49:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T01:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/859382\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T01:49:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T01:49:17","slug":"south-australia-win-back-to-back-sheffield-shield-titles-as-victoria-capitulate-on-final-morning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/859382\/","title":{"rendered":"South Australia win back to back Sheffield Shield titles as Victoria capitulate on final morning"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Australia have claimed back to back Sheffield Shield<\/a> titles for the first time in their 133-year history.<\/p>\n

Champions 14 times before the 2025-26 season, the SACAs had never won consecutive titles until Monday morning\u2019s triumph at Junction Oval against Victoria, dating all the way back to the inception of the competition in 1892-93.<\/p>\n

Victoria had 94 runs to get for victory with five wickets in hand heading into Day 5, before capitulating inside the first hour of play.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

SA quick Henry Thornton \u2014 a former Victorian \u2014 delivered the knockout blow when he bowled Fergus O\u2019Neill for 12 just before the first drinks break.<\/p>\n

\u201cBowled him! South Australia, back to back Sheffield Shield champions!\u201d Adam White said on commentary for Kayo.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast year they broke the drought at home, now they come and do it again in enemy territory, in one of the most remarkable Shield wins in years.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were on the canvas this time yesterday. They stand up today and land the knockout punch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"LiamLiam Scott celebrates claiming the key wicket of Oliver Peake in SA’s Sheffield Shield triumph. Credit: AAP<\/p>\n

With 77 runs and six wickets for the match, South Australia\u2019s Nathan McAndrew won player of the match honours.<\/p>\n

Needing 196 to win, the home side resumed at 5-102 on Day 5 and were bowled out for 139, giving SA victory by 56 runs.<\/p>\n

There was controversy on the fifth and final day, with key Victorian batter Oliver Peake given out when Test keeper Alex Carey took a sharp diving catch off Liam Scott\u2019s bowling.<\/p>\n

Side-on TV footage appeared to show Scott\u2019s delivery was a front-foot no ball, but the non-striker batter partially obscured the delivery stride.<\/p>\n

Peake only made four and his dismissal was a critical blow to Victoria, who had dominated the season and were strong favourites to claim their first title since 2018-19.<\/p>\n

Scott, the Shield player of the year, snared 3-32 as Victoria lost their last five wickets for 27. Thornton took 3-12, including the last two wickets, and McAndrew claimed 3-50<\/p>\n

Carey set up the win on day four with his 103, after also scoring a ton in last year\u2019s final.<\/p>\n

When McAndrew came to the crease in SA\u2019s second innings, Test paceman Scott Boland was on a hat-trick and SA were reeling at 7-122.<\/p>\n

His eighth-wicket partnership of 105 with Carey decisively turned an absorbing final, which was full of plot twists.<\/p>\n

It looked like the game might not survive through the early afternoon on Sunday. Instead, the visitors took control and Victoria lost their last seven wickets for 37.<\/p>\n

The Vics started the final morning well, taking 10 runs off the target, before nightwatchmen Mitch Perry and Nathan Murphy were dismissed in successive overs.<\/p>\n

Then Peake lost his wicket and once captain Will Sutherland was caught by Ben Manenti at first slip off Thornton, Victoria\u2019s hopes were shot.<\/p>\n

SA only secured second spot to make the final in the last game of the regular season.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe really had to dig deep. The ability for us to stay in the game is incredible and to win two in a row with this group is super-special,\u201d SA captain Nathan McSweeney said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes it even better when we\u2019re all such good mates off the field. I couldn\u2019t be prouder or luckier to captain such great cricketers and even better blokes.\u201d<\/p>\n

– With AAP<\/p>\n

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