South Australians are being urged to celebrate South Australia’s stunning back-to-back Sheffield Shield victory at a special event in Rundle Mall tomorrow afternoon.
The mighty South Australian men’s cricket team have repeated their heroics of last year with a stunning victory over league-leaders Victoria in the final of the men’s domestic first-class competition.
To mark their second victorious season in a row, the State Government and City of Adelaide will host a fun-filled celebration in Rundle Mall at 4:30pm on Tuesday 31 March, featuring winning players and coaches.
Co-hosted by the Premier and Lord Mayor and emceed by journalist Ben Hook, the event will feature season and final highlights on the big screens, a Q&A with Coach Ryan Harris and star Alex Carey, before photo and autograph opportunities.
Most importantly, the Sheffield Shield will be in pride of place on the main stage.
The final was played at Victoria’s Junction Oval, with the visitors overcoming a first-innings deficit, largely through a 105-run 8th wicket partnership between Nathan McAndrew and the mercurial Alex Carey who scored his tenth Shield century to set up a 196 run target for Victoria in the final innings.
Led by the fast bowling trio of Nathan McAndrew, Liam Scott and Henry Thornton, who each claimed three wickets in the second innings, Victoria was dismissed for 139, securing a 56 run win to South Australia.
McAndrew topped off the win with the Player of the Match award for his hauls of 3-71 and 3-50, and his gutsy 60 runs in the second innings.
The victory ensures another fitting return to South Australia for the Sheffield Shield, given the very first match in the competition was played in Adelaide all the way back in 1892.
The victory takes South Australia’s shield tally to 16, with their last victory prior to last year coming in the 1995/96 final.
Quotes
Attributable to Premier Peter Malinauskas
Congratulations to South Australia’s gritty and heroic cricket team following their successful season and huge Sheffield Shield win, sealed following four days of fighting effort away from home.
South Australians love their cricket, and they love their now repeat Sheffield Shield-winning cricketers, who have doubled up on their tearaway season last year with a thrilling victory over the Victorians on their turf.
I also congratulate everyone who supports the team and helps them excel, from the coaching and support staff to the families of the players.
I’m sure there will be a huge crowd for the celebration tomorrow, and look forward to seeing the team up on stage in Rundle Mall with the Sheffield Shield trophy in pride of place.
Attributable to Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith
I said last year that good things come to those who wait, and the good things keep coming for South Australian cricket.
Going back-to-back after a near three-decade wait since the previous Sheffield Shield victory is a remarkable achievement and this team has made us all so proud.
A Sheffield Shield is always worth celebrating and is even sweeter when it’s our second win on the trot, so we look forward to another huge party in the Mall.
We thank the State Government for its support of the celebration and want to see hundreds of fans cheering on the team in Rundle Mall.
