Bonus points to settle Shield final stalemate

For just the second time since the Sheffield Shield final was introduced almost 40 years ago, this week's season decider will be played with the bonus-points system to determine the winner if the match ends in a draw.

Queensland and NSW will contest the final of the 119th Marsh Sheffield Shield at Brisbane's Allan Border Field from Thursday, with the Blues looking to complete the double of winning both the one-day and four-day competitions.

In their way is an impressive Bulls outfit led by captain Usman Khawaja that finished on top of the table, but one that won't have the luxury of knowing a drawn match will secure them their ninth Shield title.

When the Shield final was introduced for the first time in 1982-83, it was determined that a drawn decider would mean the team that finished on top of the ladder in the regular season would be crowned the champions.

But for the 2018-19 season, the bonus-points system that is used during the round-robin stage of the competition was added to the final to avoid the home team preparing a flat pitch to achieve a draw and capture the title.

Initially introduced as a one-year trial, the bonus-points system is back for the final this season.

Four of the past seven Shield finals have ended in draws, while only six of the past 37 finals have been won by the side that finished second on the ladder.

The bonus point system works like this: the batting side receives 0.01 points for every run scored beyond 200 in its first 100 overs of its first innings. The bowling side receives 0.1 points for every wicket taken inside the first 100 overs of its opponents first innings.

So, say NSW win the toss and bat and are 5-320 after 100 overs, they would receive 1.2 points and Queensland 0.5 points. Then in reply, if Queensland are bowled out for 290 in 90 overs, the Bulls would earn 0.90 points and NSW 1.0 for taking all 10 wickets.

Add them together and NSW would have 2.2 bonus points and Queensland 1.4, meaning NSW would take the title if the match ends in a draw.

For the bonus-points system to come into play, the match must last at least 270 overs. If the bonus points are equal after two innings and the match is a draw, the team that finished in first place takes home the Shield.

Victoria won the Shield in 2018-19, beating the Blues by 177 runs, and bonus points weren't required. Victoria were 9-288 after 100 overs batting first and then bowled out the Blues for 121 in 39 overs. The Vics received 1.88 points that match, while the Blues received 0.90.

In the end, it didn't matter as the Vics won the match outright by 177 runs.

There was no Shield final last year due to the pandemic, but it is back in 2020-21 and so is the bonus point system, which has the support of senior NSW quick Mitch Starc.

"I really like the fact that the bonus point has come into it," Starc told cricket.com.au.

"It means the home team can't just bat for five days if they want."

The Allan Border Field pitch has traditionally favoured batting, but only one of the past four completed Shield matches at the venue has resulted in a draw.

But big scores have been the order of the day, with Queensland making 448 and Western Australia 540 in the last completed match in November 2018, which ended in a stalemate.

With the bonus-points system in place, Starc wonders what the curators might do with the pitch.

"It could be interesting to see what they do with the wicket up there based on the fact that bonus points matter," he said.

"We've got the 'GOAT' (Nathan Lyon) in our side, (Queensland’s) Mitch Swepson has been bowling really well for a number of years. Spinners, if the wicket's going to turn, are both in play.

"I haven't played up at AB (Field) for a little while. It can be one of two things; could be a little bit in it early and be a few little divots that harden up, which plays into the fast bowlers' hands. Likewise, it can be pretty flat at times.

"It's five-day cricket, it's April as well so that could be interesting.

"It's exciting. It's a Shield final, it's what we go through the Shield season looking for - getting to finals (and) it's a chance to get one."

NSW and Queensland met in the final round of the Shield season in Wollongong, where both sides played out a draw.

Lyon and Swepson picked up six wickets each, while Jason Sangha (103) for the Blues and Marnus Labuschagne (112) for the Bulls both scored hundreds.

Labuschagne, as the No.3 Test batter in the world, will be the prize wicket for the NSW bowling attack that boasts Test regulars Starc, Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.

The Bulls right-hander was dropped on 40 off Starc's bowling in Wollongong and the Blues quick knows how important taking every chance will be in the final.

"I think we've got a pretty experienced bowling attack to tackle their batters," said Starc.

"Even on a very flat Wollongong surface last week, we had a plenty of chances.

"It's about holding those half-chances because you let Marnus back into the game and you don't want to give him too many chances on flat wickets.

"We've got Nathan and Josh, it's nice to be back with those two in a Shield final.

"I've not played one before, I think the other two big boys have. It would be nice to be a part of one and nice to win one." 

2021 Marsh Sheffield Shield Final

Queensland v NSW Blues at Allan Border Field in Brisbane, April 15-19. Play begins each morning at 9.30am AEST

Queensland squad: Usman Khawaja (c), Xavier Bartlett, Joe Burns, Brendan Doggett, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Bryce Street, Mitchell Swepson, Jack Wildermuth

NSW squad: Sean Abbott, Harry Conway, Trent Copeland, Jack Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Josh Hazlewood, Lachlan Hearne, Baxter Holt, Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Peter Nevill, Kurtis Patterson, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Mitchell Starc

The 2021 Marsh Sheffield Shield Final will be broadcast LIVE in Australia on Fox Cricket & Kayo Sports. ABC Grandstand's live radio coverage will also be available on cricket.com.au & the CA Live app