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Sheffield Shield

( Australian Domestic Cricket Competitions )

Origin of the shield
Sponsorship and name cha..
Teams
Venues
Competition format

Final

Points system

Previous systems

Competition placings

1892–93 to 1925–26
1926–27 to 1946–47
1947–48 to 1976–77
1977–78 to present

Player of the Year
Records

See also
Further reading
External links
References

C O N T E N T S

Australia South Victoria Wales

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The Sheffield Shield is the domestic first-class cricket competition of Australia. The tournament is contested between teams representing the six states of Australia. The Sheffield Shield is named after Lord Sheffield.

Prior to the Shield being established, a number of intercolonial matches were played. The Shield, donated by Lord Sheffield, was first contested during the 1892–93 season, between New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. Queensland was admitted for the 1926–27 season, Western Australia for the 1947–48 season, and Tasmania for the 1977–78 season.

The competition is contested in a double-round-robin format, with each team playing every other team twice, i.e. home and away. Points are awarded based on wins, draws, ties and bonus points for runs and wickets in a team's first 100 batting and bowling overs, with the top two teams playing a final at the end of the season. Regular matches last for four days; the final lasts for five days.

The Sheffield Shield is supported by a Second XI reserves competition.

Origin of the shield

In 1891–92 the Earl of Sheffield was in Australia as the promoter of the English team led by W. G. Grace. The tour included three Test cricket played in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

At the conclusion of the tour, Lord Sheffield donated £150 to the New South Wales Cricket Association to fund a trophy for an annual tournament of intercolonial cricket in Australia. The three colonies of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia were already playing each other in ad hoc matches. The new tournament commenced in the summer of 1892–93, mandating home and away fixtures between each colony each season. The three teams competed for the Sheffield Shield, named after its benefactor. A Polish immigrant, Phillip Blashki of Melbourne, won the competition to design the trophy, a silver shield.

The competition therefore commenced some 15 years after Australia's first Test cricket match.

Sponsorship and name changes

In 1999, the Australian Cricket Board (now Cricket Australia) announced a sponsorship deal which included renaming the Sheffield Shield to the Pura Milk Cup, then to the Pura Cup the following season. Pura Milk is a brand name of National Foods, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bega Cheese. The sponsorship increased total annual prize money to A$220,000, with the winners receiving A$75,000 and the runners up A$45,000.

On 16 July 2008 it was announced that Weet-Bix would take over sponsorship of the competition from the start of the 2008–09 season, and that the name would revert to the "Sheffield Shield" or the "Sheffield Shield presented by Weet-Bix". Weet-Bix is a breakfast cereal manufactured by Sanitarium.

In the 2019–20 season, Marsh & McLennan Companies took over the sponsorship for the competition. This followed Marsh & McLennan's acquisition of JLT, which had sponsored the competition since 2017.

Teams

Since 1977–78, all six states of Australia have fielded their own teams. Details of each team are set out below.

Before 1993, all states were known solely by their state names or cricket association titles. Queensland was the first to adopt a nickname when it became known as the ‘Bulls’ from 1993; and following the success of that, other states adopted nicknames from 1995. The nicknames have since mostly fallen out of official use.

Cricket Central Drummoyne Oval North Dalton Park Bankstown Oval Sydney Cricket Ground\| align="center" \|1892–93 \|\| align=center \|1895–96 \|\| align=center \| 2019–20 \|\| align=center 47	Moises Henriques
Allan Border Field Brisbane Cricket Ground\| align="center" \|1926–27 \|\| align=center \|1994–95 \|\| align=center \| 2020–21 \|\| align=center 9	Marnus Labuschagne
Adelaide Oval Karen Rolton Oval\| align=center \| 1892–93 \|\| align=center \|1893–94 \|\| align=center \| 2024–25 \|\| align=center 14	Nathan McSweeney
Bellerive Oval\| align=center \| 1977–78 \|\| align=center \| 2006–07 \|\| align=center \| 2012–13 \|\| align=center 3	Jordan Silk
Junction Oval Melbourne Cricket Ground\| align="center" \|1892–93 \|\| align=center \| 1892–93 \|\| align=center \| 2018–19 \|\| align=center 32	Will Sutherland
Perth Stadium WACA Ground\| align="center" \|1947–48 \|\| align=center \| 1947–48 \|\| align=center \| 2023–24 \|\| align=center 18	Sam Whiteman

Venues

Below are the venues that hosted Sheffield Shield matches during the 2024–25 season.

Adelaide, South Australia	Brisbane, Queensland	Hobart, Tasmania	Sydney, New South Wales	Brisbane, Queensland
Capacity: 53,500	Capacity: 6,500	Capacity: 20,000	Capacity: 3,000	Capacity: 42,000
Melbourne, Victoria	Adelaide, South Australia	Melbourne, Victoria	Sydney, New South Wales	Perth, Western Australia
	Capacity: 5,000	Capacity: 7,000	Capacity: 100,024	Capacity: 48,000	Capacity: 24,000

Competition format

Each side has played each other both home and away every season with the following exceptions:

South Australia had no home game with: Victoria in 1901–02 or 1903–04; either opponent in 1907–08; New South Wales in 1910–11.
Queensland and South Australia played only once (in South Australia) in 1926–27.
Western Australia played each team only once from their debut in 1946–47 until 1955–56 inclusive.
Tasmania played each team only once from their debut in 1977–78 until 1981–82 inclusive.
In 2019–20 the season was curtailed after nine rounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2020–21 season was heavily affected by COVID-19 lockdowns, with QLD playing 9 games, Tasmania and South Australia 8, and Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria playing 7 each. Unusually for the Sheffield Shield, Victoria and New South Wales played each other 3 times during the home and away portion of the season.

Where the teams played an unequal number of games, their final points were calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Matches were timeless (i.e. played to an outright result, weather and schedule permitting) up to 1926–27. A four-day time limit has applied since 1927–28.

(1998). 9780747222033, Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 9780747222033

In 1940–41, however, the Sheffield Shield was not contested but ten first-class “friendly” matches were played between the States for Patriotic Funds;‘Sheffield Shield Cricket Cancelled’; The Courier-Mail, 10 July 1940, p. 1 however financially these were unsuccessful.‘No Inter-State Cricket’; The Age, 3 July 1941, p. 3

The Sheffield Shield was not contested during the 1941–42 Australian first-class season - instead an “Interstate Patriotic Competition” was held, with all proceeds going to the war effort. Only one match was played (Queensland v NSW at the Gabba) before the competition was cancelled due to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Final

Since 1982–83, the top two teams after the home and away rounds have met in a final, played over five days at the home ground of the top-ranked team. Between 1982–83 and 2017–18, in the event of a draw or tie, the Shield was awarded to the top-ranked team. Since the 2018–19 summer, in the event of a draw or tie, the team which scores more first innings bonus points, based on the system used in regular season matches, wins the Shield. No final was played in 2019–20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Points system

A points system has been used since the 2014–15 season, and currently points are awarded for each match during the home and away season according to the following table.

0.01 for every run above 200 in the first 100 overs of the first innings of each team

0.1 for taking each wicket in the first 100 overs of the first innings of each team

Bonus points example – If after 100 overs the score is 8/350, the batting team would receive 1.5 points (), and the bowling side would receive 0.8 points (0.1 for each wicket)
Quotient (team's batting average divided by its bowling average) is used to separate teams which finish on an equal number of points.
Teams can be penalised points for failing to maintain an adequate over rate.
The bonus bowling points were modified for the 2016–17 season. For the 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons, the bowling team received 0.5 points for taking the 5th, 7th and 9th wickets (a maximum 1.5 points).

Previous systems

The Shield was initially envisaged as a match-by-match challenge trophy; it was originally determined on 4 January 1893 that it would first be awarded to the winner of the next inter-colonial match (which was, in fact, the fourth of the season), and then would pass in perpetuity to any team which defeated the holder of the trophy; But on 30 January, it was decided instead to award the Shield to the team which won the most intercolonial matches across the season.
The quotient has been used as a tie-breaker for teams on equal points since 1893–94.
First innings points were introduced in 1932–33 and used until 1970–71.
Peter Wynne-Thomas (1983). 9780600346678, Hamlyn Publishing Group. ISBN 9780600346678
Matthew Engel (2025). 9780947766832, John Wisden & Company Ltd. ISBN 9780947766832
Bonus points for first innings batting and bowling were used from 1971–72 to 1980–81 inclusive. During the first 100 (eight-ball) overs of each side's first innings, a maximum of 10 batting bonus points could be attained. They were awarded for every 25 runs scored from 175 to 400 inclusive. A maximum of 5 bowling bonus points were available, initially upon capture of the second, fourth, sixth, eighth and last wickets. This was later changed to wickets 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 as batting teams often declared when 9 wickets down to deny the bowling side the additional bonus point. Teams were awarded an extra 10 points for an outright win.
From 1981–82 to 2013–14 there were no bonus points. Teams were awarded 6 points for an outright win, and 2 points for drawing or losing after holding a first innings lead. New era for Sheffield Shield, Daniel Brettig, ESPNcricinfo, 29 May 2014

Competition placings

Prior to the introduction of a Final in 1982–83, the team with most points after the home and away rounds was declared the winner. With the introduction of the Final, the top team hosts the second placed team in a five-day match. Until 2018–19, the visiting team was required to win the Final to win the championship; the home team won the championship in the event of a tied or drawn Final. Since the 2018–19 summer, in the event of a draw or tie, the team which scores more first innings bonus points, based on the system used in regular season matches, wins the Shield. Further details including match scorecards are available at Cricinfo and the Cricket Archive.

1892–93 to 1925–26

South Australia
Victoria
New South Wales
South Australia
Victoria
New South Wales
South Australia
South Australia
South Australia
South Australia
South Australia
South Australia
South Australia
South Australia
Victoria
New South Wales
Victoria
Victoria
Victoria
South Australia
Victoria
Victoria
South Australia
Not contested due to World War I
Not contested due to World War I
Not contested due to World War I
Not contested due to World War I
South Australia
South Australia
South Australia
South Australia
South Australia
South Australia
South Australia

1926–27 to 1946–47

Queensland
Queensland
South Australia
Queensland
South Australia
Queensland
Queensland
Queensland
Queensland
Queensland
Queensland
Queensland
New South Wales
Queensland
Not contested due to World War II
Not contested due to World War II
Not contested due to World War II
Not contested due to World War II
Not contested due to World War II
Not contested due to World War II
South Australia

1947–48 to 1976–77

Victoria

Western Australia

South Australia

Western Australia

Queensland

Western Australia

South Australia

Western Australia

Queensland

Western Australia

Queensland

New South Wales

Queensland

South Australia

Victoria

South Australia

1977–78 to present

Tasmania

South Australia

Victoria

Tasmania

Victoria

Tasmania

Victoria

Queensland

Tasmania

Victoria

South Australia

New South Wales

South Australia

New South Wales

Tasmania

South Australia

Tasmania

New South Wales

South Australia

Queensland

New South Wales

South Australia

Victoria

South Australia

Tasmania

South Australia

New South Wales

Queensland

Western Australia

Player of the Year

The Player of the Year award is announced at the end of each season. Since its inception in 1976 it has been awarded to the best-performed player/s over the season, as determined a panel of judges. Victorian and batsman Matthew Elliott has won the award the most times, being awarded Player of the Year on three separate occasions.

Ian Chappell (SA), Greg Chappell (Qld)

Richie Robinson (Vic)

David Ogilvie (Qld)

Peter Sleep (SA)

Ian Chappell (SA)

Greg Chappell (Qld)

Kepler Wessels (Qld)

Kim Hughes (WA)

Brian Davison (Tas), John Dyson (NSW)

David Boon (Tas)

Allan Border (Qld)

Craig McDermott (Qld)

Dirk Tazelaar (Qld), Mark Waugh (NSW)

Tim May (SA)

Mark Waugh (NSW)

Stuart Law (Qld)

Tony Dodemaide (Vic)

Jamie Siddons (SA)

Matthew Hayden (Qld)

Dean Jones (Vic)

Matthew Elliott (Vic)

Andy Bichel (Qld)

Dene Hills (Tas)

Matthew Elliott (Vic)

Darren Lehmann (SA)

Jamie Cox (Tas)

Brad Hodge (Vic), Jimmy Maher (Qld)

Clinton Perren (Qld)

Matthew Elliott (Vic)

Michael Bevan (Tas)

Andy Bichel (Qld)

Chris Rogers (WA)

Simon Katich (NSW)

Phillip Hughes (NSW)

Chris Hartley (Qld)

James Hopes (Qld)

Jackson Bird (Tas)

Ricky Ponting (Tas)

Marcus North (WA)

Adam Voges (WA)

Travis Head (SA)

Chadd Sayers (SA)

Chris Tremain (Vic)

Scott Boland (Vic)

Moises Henriques (NSW), Nic Maddinson (Vic)

Nathan Lyon (NSW)

Henry Hunt (SA), Travis Dean (Vic)

Michael Neser (Qld)

Beau Webster (Tas)

Fergus O'Neill (Vic)

Records

Individual records

Most matches played

1987–88 to 2005–06
1962–63 to 1984–85
1987–88 to 2007–08
1985 to 2000
1988 to 2004
Source: [2]. Last updated: 26 March 2018.

Players representing three states

60
46
63
33
99
84
118
81
23
21
122
33
Source: A Century of Summers: 100 years of Sheffield Shield cricket, Geoff Armstrong, p. 278. Last updated: 30 Nov 2008.

Six other players have represented three Australian states in top-level cricket, but without playing Sheffield Shield games for all three – Neil Hawke (SA, Tas, WA); Walter McDonald (Qld, Tas, Vic); Percy McDonnell (NSW, Qld, Vic); Karl Quist (NSW, SA, WA); Greg Rowell (NSW, Qld, Tas); Wal Walmsley (NSW, Qld, Tas), Dan Christian (NSW, SA, Vic).

Team records

Team results

42
38.72
35.63
31.8
27.23
24.88
Source: [3]. Last updated: 26 March 2023.

Highest team totals

1926–27
1900–01
2005–06
1939–40
1908–09
Source: [4]. Last updated: 31 March 2019.

Lowest team totals

1955–56
2004–05
1906–07
4	32	Bellerive Oval, Hobart	2020–21
1926–27
Source: [5]. Last updated: 31 March 2019.

Batting records

Highest individual scores

1929–30
1927–28
1900–01
1963–64
1935–36
Source: [6]. Last updated: 31 March 2019.

Most career runs

1987–88 to 2007–08
1987–88 to 2005–06
1984–85 to 1999–2000
1989–90 to 2006–07
1993–94 to 2009–10
Source: [7]. Last updated: 25 March 2015.

Most runs in a season

2007–08
2004–05
2003–04
2014–15
1982–83
Source: [8]. Last updated: 31 March 2019.

Highest batting averages

1927–28 to 1948–49
1970–71
1920–21 to 1933–34
1918–19 to 1935–36
1893–94 to 1919–20
1921–22 to 1933–34
Qualification: 10 innings. Source: [9]. Last updated: 26 January 2020.

Most centuries

147
118
62
120
122
Source: [10]. Last updated: 25 March 2015.

Bowling records

Most career wickets

25.29
24.56
23.24
24.86
22.10
Source: [11]. Last updated: 18 February 2025.

Most wickets in a season

1997–98
2004–05
2016–17
1934–35
2004–05
2006–07
Source: [12]. Last updated: 31 March 2019.

Best career average

203
55
190
61
73
Qualification: 200 overs bowled. Source: [13]. Last updated: 31 March 2019.

Hat-tricks

Many bowlers have taken a hat-trick in the Sheffield Shield. Mitchell Starc is the only bowler to take two hat-tricks in a Sheffield Shield match. In round two of the 2017–18 competition, Starc became the only bowler to take a hat-trick in each innings of a first-class cricket match in Australia, doing so against Western Australia at Hurstville Oval.

Wicket-keeping records

Most dismissals