Bushrangers on track for historic first

Having won the Shield in 2014-15 and 2015-16, the Bushrangers are aiming to become the first Victorian side and just the fifth overall in the 124-year history of the competition to win three consecutive titles.

The legendary Queensland side of the late 1990s and early 2000s was the last team to go back-to-back-to-back, achieving the feat in 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 only seven years after they broke through for their maiden title, 68 seasons after they entered the Shield competition.

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Victoria were pipped by a young South Australia side for top spot in the final round last summer, meaning they had to travel to Glenelg to defend their title from the 2014-15 season.

The achieved the double thanks to first-innings hundreds to rookie Travis Dean and now Test batsman Peter Handscomb, as well as eight wickets to the spin of Jon Holland.

The Bushrangers take on the Bulls in the final round of Shield action, beginning this Thursday in Brisbane, and after defeating WA at Traeger Park in Alice Springs yesterday, captain Cameron White said his side was hopeful of another win to secure a home final, which would be held at the same venue, their nominated 'home' ground for the decider.

"It's a nice feeling – another Shield final," said White. "The boys worked really hard in this game, obviously we knew that if we won we'd be a really good chance of getting in there (to the final). 

"We're really looking forward to another (final). We've got one more game up in Brisbane, then hopefully back here (at Traeger Park for the final).

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"I think New South Wales are the only team that can displace us from top spot, but hopefully we can play up in Brisbane well and put it beyond doubt, but the way things are looking I think we'll be back here."

If the Bushrangers do manage to achieve the rare 'three-peat', they will have done so after playing finals in three different states – Tasmania, South Australia and either the Northern Territory or New South Wales – and under the mentorship of three different head coaches – Greg Shipperd, David Saker and Andrew McDonald.

The two-time defending champs have been boosted by the return to form and full fitness of ace paceman James Pattinson, who ripped through Western Australia with a fiery spell in the second innings of their Shield clash last week and ultimately finished with figures of 5-58.

Pattinson has played three first-class matches since returning from serious shin and back injuries, taking 14 wickets at 19.71.

Interestingly, Victoria have just three batsmen in the top 24 Shield runs-scorers this season: Marcus Harris (10th) has 618 runs at 38.62; Travis Dean (14th) has 518 runs at 32.37; and White (19th) has 497 runs at 41.41. 

With the ball, the Vics boast two of the top three wicket-takers in the competition, with Holland (second) having taken 40 wickets at 20.90, and Chris Tremain (third) claiming 37 wickets at 18.24.

Most consecutive Sheffield Shield titles

9 - NSW (1953-54, 54-55, 55-56, 56-57, 57-58, 58-59, 59-60, 60-61, 61-62)

6 - NSW (1901-02, 02-03, 03-04, 04-05, 05-06, 06-07)

3 - WA (1986-87, 87-88, 88-89)

3 - Qld (1999-00, 00-01, 01-02)