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Victoria chase Sheffield Shield three-peat

Victoria are aiming for a third successive Sheffield Shield title and captain Cameron White says his bowlers are peaking in time for the final.

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Source: AAP


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Victoria head into the Sheffield Shield final against South Australia confident that their in-form bowling attack - led by Test paceman James Pattinson - can secure a record third successive state crown.

The match, commencing Sunday, is a repeat of last year's final, which Victoria won by seven wickets in Adelaide.

The Bushrangers are aiming to become the first side to win three Sheffield Shields in a row since Queensland completed the feat in 2002 - and the first-ever from Victoria.

The Vics are set to recall Fawad Ahmed after the leg-spinner took five wickets in Alice Springs earlier this month.

And in Pattinson, Victoria have arguably the form bowler of the past month in the Shield.

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Pattinson collected 5-7 in a remarkable final-round spell a fortnight ago as Queensland were routed for just 61.

"Our attack is in pretty good form and have been the past few games," Victoria captain Cameron White said.

"Having Patto (James Pattinson) back has been really handy for us.

"He was on fire in the last game, so I reckon he comes into this game peaking.

"Four games back into his comeback, he is ready to run the race of his life."

Paceman Chris Tremain is also in form for the Vics, as is spinner Jon Holland, while medium-pacer Dan Christian ensures a balanced attack.

Though Victoria won hosting rights, they chose to take the match to Alice Springs due to a lack of suitable options in Melbourne.

The Bushrangers, however, seem at home in the Red Centre, having won four and drawn the other match there over the past three seasons.

South Australia have never played at the Traeger Park venue.

"The pitch looks pretty similar to the last few pitches we have had here," White said.

"There is a bit of grass on the wicket at the moment.

"It is usually pretty flat here, and spins a bit later in the match."

While Victoria are seeking to maintain their supremacy as Shield kings, South Australia are seeking to end a 21-year winless drought.

Despite scraping in to the final and suffering two defeats against the Vics this season, SA remain confident their bowlers can do the job in a match their opponents only need to draw.

"If we get enough runs to back the bowlers up, I'm sure we can take 20 wickets," South Australia captain Travis Head said.

"We come in to this match relaxed after this week. Last year, after not being in a final for so long, there was a lot of excitement around Adelaide.

"We have played some good tough cricket in the past couple of weeks and we are ready to go."


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