Victoria was cruising at 102 for 3, chasing 196. Then Nathan McAndrew, Liam Scott and Henry Thornton happened.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
South Australia's pace trio ripped through Victoria's lower order, taking 5 for 37 on the final day as the home side collapsed to 139 all out. The 56-run victory gave SA back-to-back Sheffield Shield titles—the first time in the state's history. It's a result that will be celebrated in Adelaide for years.
The Collapse
The morning session was brutal. Victoria lost 7 for 37 as SA's seamers found consistent movement off the Junction Oval surface. The pitch had offered assistance throughout the match, but this was something else—a procession of edges, trapped pads, and shattering stumps.
Scott struck first, angling in from around the wicket to have Todd Murphy caught at slip for 10. The left-arm seamer had Murphy playing across the line, and the edge flew low to Jake Weatherald at first slip.
McAndrew followed by pinning Mitchell Perry lbw—the second left-hander he'd trapped in the match. The ball jagged back sharply from a good length, catching Perry on the crease.
Then came the killer blow. Ollie Peake, who'd unfurled one glorious straight drive off Thornton earlier in the over, was undone by Scott's change of angle. Over the wicket, perfect length, nibbling away—the edge carried to Carey who took a diving catch at full stretch. Peake walked off knowing he'd squandered Victoria's best chance.
The Numbers
Nathan McAndrew finished with match figures of 6/121 from 35 overs, plus a crucial 60 with the bat in the second innings. It was an all-round performance that earned him Player of the Match honours.
Liam Scott's tournament numbers were even more impressive: 547 runs and 28 wickets across the season, making him the obvious choice for Player of the Series. No other player came close to matching his combined impact.
Henry Thornton finished with 3/12 in the final innings—economical, incisive, and ultimately match-sealing bowling.
From Nowhere
SA were dead and buried at 122 for 7 in their second innings, leading by just 59. The Victorian seamers had been relentless. A lead of 150 looked optimistic.
Then came Alex Carey. The Australian Test keeper played the innings of his domestic career—103 off 167 balls, mixing patience with occasional aggression. His century came from a pull shot through midwicket that brought the Adelaide contingent to their feet.
A crucial stand with McAndrew (60) added 105 for the eighth wicket and transformed the game. Suddenly SA had a target to defend—and the belief that they could defend it.
It was the first Shield final won by an away team in a decade—the last being Victoria over SA in Adelaide in 2015-16.
Thornton sealed it with an offcutter that snaked through Fergus O'Neill's defence, sparking celebrations that'll echo through Adelaide for years to come.
We 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. It makes it even better when we're all such good mates off the field.
— Nathan McSweeney, SA Captain
TLDR
South Australia beat Victoria by 56 runs to claim consecutive Sheffield Shield titles for the first time in state history. Victoria collapsed from 102/3 to 139 all out chasing 196.
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