Sheffield Shield 2026-27 begins with Victoria hosting South Australia in rematch of last season's final
The Sheffield Shield 2026-27 season begins with Victoria hosting South Australia in a rematch of last season's final.
The 125th edition of the Sheffield Shield begins this week with Victoria hosting defending champions South Australia at Junction Oval in a rematch of last season's final. New South Wales and Tasmania start their campaigns at Sydney's Cricket Central on October 8, while Queensland travel to face Western Australia at the WACA Ground.
Each state will play six Shield games before the BBL break and four after, with the top two teams qualifying for the five-day final from March 25 to 29 next year. Victoria enters the season opener with three potential debutants in Austin Anlezark, Liam Blackford and Harry Hoekstra. Blackford is expected to play as the side's wicketkeeper following Sam Harper's call-up to the Australia Test squad.
Queensland will be without Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw and Michael Neser, who are on Australia's Test tour of South Africa. Western Australia's squad is yet to be announced. All matches will be streamed live on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app, with selected games broadcast on Fox Cricket.
CricHubb Take
The staggered start and the absence of several Australia-contracted players in round one will test how state sides balance domestic priorities with the national team's preparation for the New Zealand series.