The 2023-4 Sheffield Shield season kicks off with New South Wales taking on Queensland at Sydney Showground Stadium in Sydney. Both teams are eager to start the season on a positive note, but who will emerge victorious in this exciting clash?
New South Wales Preview:
New South Wales had a challenging 2022-23 Sheffield Shield season, drawing five and losing five matches. Captain Kurtis Patterson will be looking to lead his team to a better performance this season. However, they will miss the services of premier pacer Sean Abbott, who is part of Australia’s squad for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.
In the batting department, New South Wales will rely on the likes of Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Jason Sangha, Matthew Gilkes, and skipper Kurtis Patterson. Daniel Hughes was the top run-scorer for New South Wales last season, amassing 537 runs at an average of 41.30.
In the bowling department, the team will look to Ben Dwarshuis, Trent Copeland, Chris Tremain, Hayden Kerr, and Chris Green for breakthroughs. Chris Green was their leading wicket-taker last year, with 20 wickets at an average of 23.05.
New South Wales Predicted Playing XI: Blake Nikitaras, Daniel Hughes, Kurtis Patterson (c), Moises Henriques, Jason Sangha, Matthew Gilkes (wk), Hayden Kerr, Trent Copeland, Chris Green, Ben Dwarshuis, Chris Tremain
Queensland Preview:
Queensland finished third in the previous Sheffield Shield competition. Captain Usman Khawaja will be aiming to lead his side to a disciplined performance and an adjustment to the conditions in their match against New South Wales.
In the batting department, Queensland will rely on Joe Burns, captain Usman Khawaja, Matt Renshaw, Jack Clayton, and wicket-keeper Jimmy Peirson. Jimmy Peirson topped the batting charts for Queensland last season with 460 runs at an average of 35.38.
Joe Burns also showed decent form, accumulating 422 runs with three half-centuries. In the bowling department, Queensland will look to Mark Steketee, Matthew Kuhnemann, Gurinder Sandhu, and Michael Neser for crucial wickets.
Michael Neser was the leading wicket-taker for Queensland last season, with 40 wickets at an average of 16.67, including two five-wicket hauls. His partner, Mark Steketee, took 38 wickets at an average of 18.86.
Queensland Predicted Playing XI: Usman Khawaja (c), Joe Burns, Blake Edwards, Matt Renshaw, Jack Clayton, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Michael Neser, James Bazley, Gurinder Sandhu, Mark Steketee, Matthew Kuhnemann
Weather Conditions:
The weather forecast for the four-day match at Sydney Showground Stadium is sunny with moderate winds, providing an ideal setting for a competitive battle between bat and ball.
Toss: To Bat
Both teams will likely prefer to win the toss, bat first, and set a competitive total on the board.
Winning Prediction:
With a full-strength squad led by Usman Khawaja, Queensland enters the match as favorites. Their formidable pace attack, featuring Michael Neser, Mark Steketee, and Matthew Kuhnemann, has the skills to trouble New South Wales’ batting lineup.
Today’s Match Winner: Queensland
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