Sydney: South Australia and Victoria both completed their Sheffield Shield season with sweeping outright victories on Sunday. But neither will take part in the competition's showpiece -- the final starting on Friday, when title-holders Queensland will defend its crown against New South Wales, led by Test captain Steve Waugh. New South Wales earned the right to take on the already qualified Queensland in the Brisbane showdown when it wrapped up its qualifying match against Queensland on Saturday, storming home by a whopping 241 runs in Sydney despite trailing by 88 runs on the first innings. South Australia crushed Tasmania by eight wickets in Adelaide. After South Australia made 500 for six declared in its first innings, it dismissed its opponents for 276 and 264. Left with a modest victory target, South Australia romped home with 41 for two in its second knock. Talented Michael Divenuto top-scored with 82 in Tasmania's second innings, after his 81 in the first innings, while Daniel Marsh (58), Sean Clingeleffer (34) and Damien Wright (36) offered some solid lower-order resistance. In Melbourne, Victoria caned Western Australia by 10 wickets to draw level with New South Wales on the Shield ladder -- but New South Wales earned a place in the final by virtue of more outright wins (six, compared with Victoria's five) over the season. Despite rain interruptions, Victoria was able to dismiss Western Australia for 253 in its second innings. Needing 43 for victory, Victoria smacked 45 without loss as Matthew Mott led the way with an unbeaten 24.
Copyright AFP 2001
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