(Cricket news) The WACA Ground is preparing to host the Marsh Sheffield Shield Final for a third straight summer, following another dominant campaign from Western Australia in the four-day competition.
Western Australia and Tasmania will do battle in the Marsh Sheffield Shield Final at the iconic Perth venue, starting Thursday 21 March at 10AM WST.
WA earned hosting rights following a dominant 138-run victory over Victoria at CitiPower Centre last week.
This victory, coupled with South Australia’s upset triumph over ladder-leaders Tasmania in Hobart, saw the two-time reigning champions climb to first and lock in their third consecutive final at home.
The WACA Ground is well-known for its fast and bouncy pitch conditions, with both teams expecting to face similar conditions when the match kicks off on Thursday.
The showpiece fixture on the domestic calendar will be played on pitch seven on the ten-pitch wicket block, with the wicket being used for only the second time this summer.
With WAFL footy being played at the venue during the winter months, the four centre wickets on the block have only been used in the back half of the domestic season, to allow the pitches to have similar characteristics to those typically produced at the WACA Ground.
Head Curator – WACA Ground Isaac McDonald said:
“We are looking forward to hosting another Shield Final at the WACA Ground, it is always a great thrill to prepare a wicket for one of the biggest domestic matches in Australian Cricket, so our staff will relish that challenge once again.
“We always aim to produce the best cricket wicket we can, and the Final will be no different, fans should expect an even contest between bat and ball and the pitch should allow for the players to display their talents.
“WAFL footy presented us with some challenges during the winter, but I am really happy with the pitches we have produced across both venues this summer, and I’m confident that we will do the same again ahead of Thursday.
“Our preparation for the Final has been seamless due to a nice break in between our last fixture at the venue, but with the great weather around Perth over the last couple of weeks, we should expect conditions to be ideal for both sides.”
Tickets for the Marsh Sheffield Shield Final can be purchased via Ticketmaster, with prices starting from $5.
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