Shield final must stay: Wade

Victorian captain Matthew Wade believes the Sheffield Shield final must form a part of the domestic schedule next season, despite fears for its future.

Back-to-back Sheffield Shield champions Victoria see no need for the competition's final format to change in 2016-17.

Dull draws have dominated the competition's decider for the past three years, but Victorian captain Matthew Wade believes the fact his team became the first side to win the final from second spot in 11 years shows there is still some life in the contest.

"This game of cricket is as good as any game of cricket you're ever going to watch," Wade said.

"It to-and-froed for three or four days and we weren't home until we managed to get a few over the rope (on Wednesday) afternoon.

"We've just proven that you can win from second and it was terrific game of cricket."

More than 11,000 people turned out across the five days at Glenelg's Gliderol Stadium to watch the Bushrangers beat South Australia by seven wickets, amidst speculation the final could be the competition's last.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland indicated at the start of the season that he felt the final should be scrapped, while it was also reported this week that joint-premiers could be announced in the future in the event of a draw.

But Wade doesn't like the idea one bit.

"I don't like it. I don't like that at all," Wade Said.

"I understand if there is a reason or if there is a logical way to go to change the Shield final. I'm all for that.

"But at the moment there's no clear-cut decisive way that we should go so just leave it how it is."

A number of young stars on both teams also made their name in the final, including the likes of Marcus Stoinis, Travis Dean, Peter Handscomb and Jon Holland for the Bushrangers.

And Wade believes for that reason alone the fixture is an important one.

"To get the experience to bowl where there's no prizes for second, just shows that the Shield final's a valuable game in our schedule."


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Source: AAP



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