Victoria have made a bold selection call ahead of the Sheffield Shield final against South Australia, leaving out Mitchell Perry despite his impressive season and opting instead for Sam Elliott. The decision comes as both teams prepare for a potentially weather-affected contest at Junction Oval in Melbourne.
Perry, who finished second in the Shield player of the year standings with 32 wickets at 21.75, including two five-wicket hauls, was unlucky to miss out. Elliott, however, edged him with 33 wickets at an outstanding average of 17.18 and three five-fors, making the selection a tight call. Victoria coach Chris Rogers admitted it was one of the toughest decisions of his tenure, describing it as a “50-50” choice.
The return of Fergus O’Neill, rested in the previous match, forced Victoria into the difficult decision, ultimately rewarding Elliott for what Rogers termed a marginally better season. Perry, though disappointed, reportedly handled the omission professionally.
South Australia, meanwhile, are considering their own selection balance, particularly whether to include legspinner Lloyd Pope alongside Ben Manenti. The decision could depend on pitch conditions, which are expected to offer more pace and movement than in the previous game between the sides.
Weather is set to play a significant role in the final, with rain forecast across the opening days. While the five-day format provides extra time for a result, bonus points could become decisive if the match ends in a draw. Both teams are mindful of this, especially Victoria, who lost the 2021-22 final due to a miscalculation of bonus points.
Captain Will Sutherland revealed the team has learned from past mistakes and is better prepared strategically. As Victoria chase their first title since 2019 and South Australia aim for back-to-back triumphs, selection calls and weather conditions could prove decisive.
