Victoria vs South Australia: 2025-26 Sheffield Shield Final – How to Watch & Team News
Victoria and South Australia Set to Clash in Sheffield Shield Final
Junction Oval in Melbourne will host the 2025-26 Sheffield Shield final, beginning on March 26th and running through March 30th, as Victoria and South Australia prepare for a highly anticipated showdown. The two sides met in the final round of the regular season, playing to a draw, setting the stage for a rematch with the ultimate prize on the line.
Victoria enters the final as the top seed, having dominated the domestic first-class competition throughout the season. They boast a relatively healthy squad, bolstered by the return of Test star Scott Boland, who took four wickets against South Australia in their round 10 clash. However, the Vics face a tough selection decision, with either Mitch Perry or Sam Elliott set to make way for Fergus O’Neill, who was rested in the last round. Both Elliott (33 wickets in seven matches) and Perry (32 in eight matches) have been prolific bowlers for Victoria this season.
South Australia, the defending champions, finished second in the standings and will be looking to secure back-to-back Shield titles – a feat they haven’t accomplished in their history. Their campaign has been hampered by injuries, with Test-capped quick Brendan Doggett ruled out of the final due to a hamstring injury, and young left-armer Campbell Thompson likewise sidelined for the season. However, Wes Agar is pushing for a return from a back injury, and leg-spinner Lloyd Pope and batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk have been added to the squad.
Head-to-Head History
Victoria holds a strong historical advantage over South Australia in Sheffield Shield finals, having never lost to them (winning in 2015-16 and drawing in 2016-17 to claim the title). However, they have lost their last two finals falling to Western Australia in both 2021-22 and 2022-23. The most recent meeting between the two sides ended in a draw in round 10 of the current season, with South Australia securing a first-innings lead but ultimately unable to force a result.
Their earlier encounter this season saw Victoria emerge victorious. Henry Hunt (126) and Jake Lehmann (113) set up a strong fight for South Australia, but a century from Peter Handscomb and a five-wicket haul from Doug Warren propelled Victoria to a win. That victory was part of a strong start to the season for Victoria, who won their first four games, including a dominant performance against a star-studded New South Wales outfit.
The two teams also met in consecutive Sheffield Shield finals in 2015-16 and 2016-17. Victoria won the first encounter at Glenelg, while the second, held in Alice Springs, ended in a draw, with Victoria claiming the title. That 2016-17 final saw Marcus Harris and Travis Dean set up a strong first innings for Victoria, and a seven-wicket haul from Jon Holland put them in a commanding position.
Key Players
For Victoria, the return of Scott Boland provides a significant boost to their bowling attack. Sam Harper has been a standout performer with the bat, scoring 645 runs at a strike rate of 81.3 this season. The selection decision between Perry and Elliott will be crucial, as both have been instrumental in Victoria’s success.
South Australia will rely heavily on Alex Carey, who will be playing in his second consecutive Sheffield Shield final. Henry Hunt has been their leading run-scorer with 667 runs, while Nathan McAndrew has been their most successful bowler with 32 wickets. The availability of Wes Agar will be a welcome addition to their bowling lineup, and Lloyd Pope could provide a valuable spin option.
What’s on the Line?
Victoria is aiming for their 33rd Sheffield Shield title, while South Australia is hoping to grow the fifth team to win back-to-back finals. The Sheffield Shield is the oldest domestic first-class cricket competition in the world, dating back to 1891, and remains a prestigious trophy in Australian cricket. For South Australia, a win would represent a continuation of their recent success and solidify their position as a force in domestic cricket. For Victoria, it would be a return to the top after falling short in recent years.
The match will be broadcast live on cricket.com.au, the CA Live app, Foxtel, and Kayo Sports, with commentary from Adam White, Bruce Eva, Bryce McGain, Jason Behrendorff, Rob Quiney, and Adam Crosthwaite. Live scores will be available on the Cricket Australia Match Centre. ABC Radio will also provide live commentary.
Match Details
- Who: Victoria v South Australia
- What: 2025-26 Sheffield Shield final
- When: March 26-30, 2026
- Where: Junction Oval, Melbourne
Hours of play will initiate with a coin toss at 9:45 am AEDT, followed by sessions from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, 1:10 pm to 3:10 pm, and 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. An extra 30 minutes will be available each day to complete the required overs.
Officials for the match include Sam Nogajski and Shawn Craig (field umpires), Donovan Koch (third umpire), Phil Gillespie (fourth umpire), and Kepler Wessels (match referee).