Jason Sangha and Alex Carey’s hundreds helped South Australia pull off a record chase in the final against Queensland on Saturday, earning them their first Sheffield Shield championship in 29 years.
Sangha secured their four-wicket victory on a flat Karen Rolton Oval pitch by smashing an undefeated 126 and forming a 202-run partnership with Australia test wicketkeeper Carey (105).
After the Adelaide Crows, an Australian Rules side, denied South Australia permission to hold the Shield final at Adelaide Oval, the game was moved to a smaller location.
South Australia fell to 3-28 while chasing 270 for win, but they were led to victory by a remarkable fourth-wicket stand from Sangha and Carey.
In his first season with the team, Sangha did not look back after Ben McDermott spilled him at second slip on 13th, giving him a reprieve.
Jack Wildermuth was requested to bowl short outside the off-stump by Queensland captain Marnus Labuschagne, who packed the off-side with eight fielders, but the strategy failed.
Sangha remained in place to smash the winning runs, sparking raucous celebrations, but Carey left after cutting a Mark Steketee delivery onto his stumps.
Under coach Ryan Harris and captain Nathan McSweeney, South Australia achieved the first-ever Shield and One-Day Cup double with the most successful chase in the final.
“I have already started thinking about next year, but we will definitely enjoy this one.” (Kirsten Donovan edited; Amlan Chakraborty reported from New Delhi.)
