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Sheffield Shield final: all you need to know

All the news and form lines plus how to live stream the Sheffield Shield Final between Queensland and Tasmania

Who's playing and what's at stake?

Only the biggest trophy in world cricket (seriously, it's quite large!). Runaway ladder-leaders Queensland and risen-again Tasmania will square off at Allan Border Field from Friday for the 2017-18 Sheffield Shield title. It's been a wet few days in Brisbane and there's some more rain forecast for the five-day final. But a combination of the swinging Dukes ball, a pitch that's been under covers and the respective sides' attacking approaches could make for exciting viewing. The Bulls are gunning for their first Shield crown since 2012 and the Tigers since 2013, with the two teams each triumphing over the other in those back-to-back deciders.

How can I follow?

All five days will be live streamed exclusively on cricket.com.au, while ABC Granstand will also provide ball by ball coverage on radio. If you can’t watch or listen live, follow @cricketcomau on Twitter and Facebook or download the CA Live App.

Squads

Queensland squad: James Peirson (captain), Joe Burns, Brendan Doggett, Luke Feldman, Sam Heazlett, Charlie Hemphrey, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Lachlan Pfeffer, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Jack Wildermuth (Coach: Wade Seccombe).

Tasmania squad: George Bailey (Captain), Jackson Bird, Alex Doolan, Jake Doran, Andrew Fekete, Hamish Kingston, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Simon Milenko, Sam Rainbird, Tom Rogers, Jordan Silk, Matthew Wade, Beau Webster (Coach: Adam Griffith).

Who should I look out for?

The Shield final is often described as the closest a domestic game can get to Test match intensity and all 22 players will be well aware of the extra scrutiny. Six players (Matthew Renshaw, Joe Burns, George Bailey, Jackson Bird, Matthew Wade and Alex Doolan) have been there and done that at Test level. Renshaw, Burns and Bird would appear the closest to a recall – strong performances from that trio over the coming days will put them squarely back in the national frame for future tours. But don't sleep on the stack of leading domestic performers looking to put their names up in lights. Keep a particular eye on highly-rated prospect Jake Doran, who has had a tremendous season after a number of lean years since his high-profile switch from NSW as a teenager. If you're a fan of swing bowling, Michael Neser is an absolute weapon with the Dukes ball and can shift it both ways. And Jack Wildermuth and Beau Webster are two more promising young guns who could have a big few days.

Who's missing?

Both sides are missing one player to Test duties in South Africa; regular Queensland captain Usman Khawaja and Tassie keeper Tim Paine.

Form guide
(most recent first)

Queensland – WWWDWDDLWW

Tasmania - WWDWLWWDLL

Head to head this season:

Blundstone Arena, Hobart - Nov 4-6, 2017

Tasmania 186 (Neser 6-57) and 150 (Doolan 58, Feldman 5-31) lost to Queensland 181 and 3-158 (Burns 70) by seven wickets. 

The Gabba, Brisbane - Feb 8-11, 2018

Queensland 255 (Renshaw 56) and 285 (Hemphrey 52, Peirson 61) defeated Tasmania 115 (Feldman 6-32) and 219 (Doran 95) by 206 runs.

What they said

George Bailey on Tasmania's young players succeeding

"I genuinely get more enjoyment and pleasure out of seeing Jake Doran (score) hundreds and Jordan Silk (score) hundreds and Sam Rainbird taking wickets (than making runs myself). I've seen the work that they've put in, I've seen how their game has improved and how they've started to fit in. To see that come to fruition and see them get some individual success and for that to culminate in the team making a final has been great."

Jimmy Peirson on captaining the Bulls in a Shield final

I never thought this time last year that I'd be playing in a Shield final let alone captaining in one. We're a very young group, we're pretty free-flowing in the way we play – the moment isn't going to get to us. We've got a couple of older heads as well who have played in Shield finals before, so we’re raring to go.