In the same week Cameron White accused Australian cricket selectors of ignoring the Sheffield Shield, the competition's elder statesmen starred to show its importance.
White suggested youngsters in the Big Bash League were being looked on more favourably than experienced players in the Shield.
However, the introduction of the Dukes ball made for one of the more interesting rounds of the season, as the Shield made its post-BBL return
Western Australia kept their season alive with a thrilling seven-run victory over second-placed South Australia within three days.
Meanwhile at the Gabba, Tasmania took their clash with Queensland into the final session as tailenders Simon Milenko and Cameron Stevenson combined for a 90-minute ninth-wicket partnership to give the hosts a scare before a silly run out cost them.
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"That's usually how four-day cricket is played at the back-end," Queensland captain Chris Hartley said.
"It's outlasting the team physically. That's where mistakes come into the game."
Hartley, for his part, wants people to know the importance of Shield cricket as the breeding ground for international success.
"Test match series can be decided over whether a game gets lost or whether a team can hang on for a draw," he said.
"When the Australian Test side is fighting for a draw to win a series you're going to hope that guys have got the ability to block out or to bat long periods of time and don't just have the ability to play a reverse sweep or slog it over cow corner."
In Melbourne, NSW closed the gap to seven points between first-placed Victoria and them in fourth when they flogged the ladder leaders by an innings and 77 runs.
Former Australian opener Ed Cowan hit 212 to set up the win, on the same day Hartley broke the all-time Shield record for dismissals, with 547.
And former Australian batsman George Bailey said both instances only further highlight the importance of senior players in the Shield competition.
"At every level that I have played at your younger players get better a hell of a lot quicker when they have good senior players around," Bailey said.
"Whether that's grade cricket, Shield cricket or the Australian team - they are vastly important."
Meanwhile Hartley also suggested the Dukes ball could become commonplace in Shield cricket after this summer's end-of-season trial, following a more even contest between bat and ball.
"You either make the wickets a little more sporting to even up the contest and go back to the Kookaburras, or you keep the Dukes and you allow bowlers to have a little bit more out of the hand," he said.
"Players around Australia just want a good contest between bat and ball ... there's plenty for CA to think about."
