South Australia will defend their Sheffield Shield crown without Brendan Doggett, the fast-bowler’s hamstring refusing to heal in time for Thursday’s final against Victoria at St Kilda’s Junction Oval.
The 30-year-old quick, player of the match in last season’s triumph, had been pencilled in for a late fitness test. A solid week in the nets raised hopes, only for fresh soreness to appear at the weekend.
“He hasn’t come up – we tried as best we can,” SA coach Ryan Harris said on Monday. “He was going pretty well and he had a bit of a step back last week. Going into a final, you sometimes risk it, but this is probably too much, too fast.”
Doggett last played in early February, tearing the same hamstring that troubled him two summers ago. A second operation is not required, yet the medics were unwilling to gamble.
“He has got potentially a big August coming up with the Australian stuff as well, so we want to make sure we’re not going to run him into the ground,” Harris added. “He doesn’t have to have surgery this time … we’re obviously going to miss him going in after what he did last year.”
In Doggett’s absence, South Australia have recalled seamer Wes Agar. Young batter Jake Fraser-McGurk also returns, having cut short his PSL stint. The Redbacks need a victory to secure back-to-back titles for the first time; a draw would hand silverware to ladder-leaders Victoria.
“That’s what you play Sheffield Shield cricket to do, is to win titles,” South Australia’s Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey said. “The excitement around last year was really special. But for this group, titles won’t just define us.”
Carey believes the squad’s culture, rather than one individual, now drives performance. “I think we’ve got a really strong culture here in South Australian cricket for continued success.”
The skipper is under no illusions about the task. Victoria topped the table from round three and boast home conditions. “We understand they’re a really good team and they’ve earned the right to host the final,” Carey said. “I do think we’re playing our best cricket at the right time of the year. We’re looking at getting over to Victoria, playing our brand of cricket … we’re excited.”
For Victoria, the absence of Doggett removes a bowler who claimed 11 wickets in last year’s final at Karen Rolton Oval. Still, Junction Oval offers different, generally flatter conditions. Agar’s extra bounce may suit, while South Australia’s balanced attack – Spencer Johnson’s left-arm pace, Ben Manenti’s off-spin and Nathan McAndrew’s swing – has functioned well all campaign.
The match begins Thursday morning, with five days scheduled. A cyclone in the northwest is pushing a weak front across Melbourne, but the Bureau forecasts only light showers – just enough to put groundsman Marcus De Checchi on his mettle.
It’s a blow for Doggett, though the state hierarchy are keen to protect a bowler who remains on the fringes of national selection. A long winter of Australia A and possibly white-ball tours looms; better to miss one final than an entire season.
