South Australia’s triumphant cricketers have set their sights on a historic double victory. Fresh from their One-Day Cup success, Nathan McSweeney’s team is now focused on securing the elusive Sheffield Shield.
McSweeney guided South Australia to their first One-Day title in 13 years with a dominant 64-run victory over Victoria at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. Achieving the double of winning both the One-Day Cup and the Sheffield Shield in the same season is a rare feat, accomplished only 11 times previously, and never by South Australia.
Western Australia (five times), New South Wales (four times), and Victoria (twice) have all achieved this double. McSweeney believes that his team, historically considered underdogs in domestic cricket, might never have a better opportunity than now.
“It feels like a weight off our shoulders,” McSweeney commented after receiving the Dean Jones Trophy. “We will savor this victory, but there is a larger goal – the Sheffield Shield final. Everyone enjoys winning, and this taste of success will hopefully motivate us further. I don’t think we’ll tire of winning anytime soon.”
South Australia has not won the Sheffield Shield since 1995-96, but they currently lead the competition and are well-positioned to host the final. With two games remaining, each worth six points, McSweeney’s team holds an 11-point lead over second-placed New South Wales. McSweeney is confident that their One-Day Cup triumph will positively impact their performance in the four-day format.
“It has been a significant drought since our last title,” he acknowledged. “The current squad has demonstrated over the past few years that we are capable of winning. Failures in crucial moments in both Shield and One-Day games have previously cost us. However, we are becoming more consistent, as reflected in the Shield standings. Hopefully, this marks the beginning of a period of sustained success, not just a one-off victory.”
McSweeney credited Ryan Harris, who took over from Jason Gillespie as South Australia’s head coach this season, for instilling a crucial element: belief.
“Ryan Harris has brought belief into our team,” he stated. “We successfully defended modest scores of 160 twice in the One-Day competition this year. Even after being bowled out for just 90 in the last Shield game, we still managed to win. We are winning from positions where we previously would not have. This is a massive credit to Ryan and the entire coaching staff.”
