The 2025 Sheffield Shield Final between South Australia and Queensland at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide has provided an exciting display of top-quality cricket. The match has been full of dramatic moments, with South Australia gaining a firm grip thanks to an outstanding century from Jake Lehmann and an impressive bowling effort led by Brendan Doggett. Meanwhile, Queensland, despite struggling early on, has shown resilience, with Marnus Labuschagne keeping their hopes alive with a determined batting performance. As the contest moves into its crucial phases, the battle for the coveted title remains wide open.
Match Details
- Venue: Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide
- Match Dates: March 26-30, 2025
- Current Status: Queensland trails by 1 run with 7 wickets remaining in their second innings.
Day 1 Recap: A Rocky Start for Queensland
Queensland won the toss and elected to bat first, but their decision quickly turned disastrous. The South Australian bowling attack, spearheaded by Brendan Doggett, tore through the Queensland lineup, restricting them to just 95 runs. Doggett was the standout performer, claiming six wickets for a mere 31 runs.
In response, South Australia faced its own struggles but managed to take a lead by stumps, finishing Day 1 at 158/6. Jake Lehmann (42*) and Ben Manenti (36*) played crucial knocks to stabilize the innings after early setbacks.
Day 2: South Australia Strengthens Its Hold
Jake Lehmann’s Heroics with the Bat
Resuming at 158/6, South Australia looked to extend their lead on the second day. Jake Lehmann, carrying his overnight score, played a masterclass in patience and technique. He reached his third consecutive century in the Sheffield Shield, scoring 102 off 151 balls. His innings included 12 boundaries and was crucial in propelling South Australia to a strong total of 271.
Nathan McAndrew also played a valuable supporting role, adding 39 runs to frustrate the Queensland bowlers. Their partnership ensured that South Australia had a commanding lead of 176 runs, giving their bowlers plenty to work with.
South Australia’s First Innings Performance
| Batter | Runs | Balls Faced | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Lehmann | 102 | 151 | 12 | 0 |
| Nathan McAndrew | 39 | 67 | 4 | 0 |
| Ben Manenti | 36 | 78 | 3 | 0 |
Queensland’s Bowling Efforts
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
| Callum Vidler | 18 | 64 | 4 |
| Jack Wildermuth | 17 | 39 | 3 |
| Michael Neser | 21 | 52 | 2 |
Queensland’s Fightback in the Second Innings
With a massive deficit to overcome, Queensland needed a solid start in their second innings. Openers Usman Khawaja and Angus Lovell provided some stability, putting on a 39-run partnership before Khawaja fell for 21, edging one to the slips off Doggett’s bowling. Lovell played fluently for his 38 but was trapped lbw by Liam Scott.
Marnus Labuschagne then took charge, playing one of the most crucial innings of the match. After surviving an early scare due to a no-ball dismissal, he capitalized on his luck, scoring an elegant 61 off 88 balls. His stroke play was impeccable, particularly his cover drives and flicks off the pads. His partnership with Jack Clayton (32* at stumps) was instrumental in narrowing the deficit and keeping Queensland’s hopes alive.
Queensland’s Second Innings Performance at Stumps
| Batter | Runs | Balls Faced | 4s | 6s |
| Marnus Labuschagne | 61 | 88 | 9 | 0 |
| Jack Clayton | 32* | 72 | 4 | 0 |
| Angus Lovell | 38 | 66 | 5 | 0 |
South Australia’s Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
| Brendan Doggett | 16 | 38 | 2 |
| Liam Scott | 12 | 32 | 1 |
Key Stats and Comparisons
| Team | First Innings | Second Innings (Day 2) | Top Scorer (1st Innings) | Top Scorer (2nd Innings) |
| South Australia | 271 | N/A | Jake Lehmann (102) | N/A |
| Queensland | 95 | 177/3 | Michael Neser (34) | Marnus Labuschagne (61) |
Impact of Weather and Pitch Conditions
The Adelaide pitch has proven to be helpful for bowlers, especially in the morning session, but batting has become easier as the day progresses. The hot and dry conditions, with temperatures peaking at 30°C, have also played a role in making the pitch slightly more batting-friendly as cracks have started to appear.
With three days remaining, the pitch is expected to further deteriorate, making batting progressively harder. This adds more weight to South Australia’s current advantage as they might not need to chase a big total in the fourth innings.
What to Expect on Day 3
As the match progresses into the third day, Queensland’s goal will be to erase the deficit and build a strong lead. With experienced batsmen like Jimmy Peirson, Michael Neser, and Jack Wildermuth yet to bat, they will be aiming to push the total well past 300 to give themselves a fighting chance.
On the other hand, South Australia will be looking to break through the Queensland middle order early and limit their lead to a manageable total. The performance of Brendan Doggett and Liam Scott will be crucial in determining whether they can wrap up the innings quickly or if Queensland will be able to set a challenging target.
As the tension builds, cricket fans can expect more thrilling moments in what has already been an exciting Sheffield Shield Final.
