Alex Carey’s third-innings hundred has turned the 2025/26 Sheffield Shield final on its head.
Alex Carey hundred propels South Australia to driver’s seat
After conceding a 60-run lead in the first innings, South Australia were 98-5 at stumps on day three in the Sheffield Shield final at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. When they became 122-7 after Scott Boland’s (3-78) double strike on the fourth morning, it seemed only a matter of time before Victoria would clinch the title.
But No.9 Nathan McAndrew could not be dislodged, and Carey assumed control. Victoria tried to keep Carey off the strike, but McAndrew played his shots – finding the boundary eight times and clearing it once (with an uppercut) en route to 60. By the time Will Sutherland ran through his defence, the pair had added 105.
Todd Murphy (2-32) then had Henry Thornton caught-behind, but Carey was not done. He reached his hundred and, in the process, pushed South Australia’s total to 258. By the time he was out trying to scoop Fergus O’Neill, he had reached 103 in 168 balls, with six fours and a six.
Defending 196 (there have been only six bigger chases in a Sheffield Shield final), Jordan Buckingham ran through Sam Harper’s defence to bowl him, while McAndrew (2-33) struck twice at the other end, leaving Victoria reeling at 35-3.
Peter Handscomb (28) and Marcus Harris (35) added 67 before they fell in consecutive overs. Victoria responded by sending not one but two night-watch batters, first Mitchell Perry, then Murphy. They remained unbeaten without adding another run.
Victoria now need 94 to win the Sheffield Shield with five wickets in hand.
Final, Victoria vs South Australia
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An encore for Carey?
A year ago, South Australia had needed 270 against Queensland to win the Sheffield Shield: no team had ever chased as many in the final of the competition.
Things looked bleak at 28-3, but Jason Sangha (126 not out) and Carey (105) put on 202 to virtually decide the match. It was South Australia’s first Sheffield Shield since 1995/96. If they win this time as well, it will be the first time they will clinch consecutive Shield titles.
