Sheffield Shield final: Selection headaches for Vics as Test stars return

The Vics stormed to a seven-wicket victory and their fifth win on the trot against Western Australia in Perth last week but are set to make at least two changes to their side as they look to repeat the dose in the final, which begins at the WACA on Thursday.

Jon Holland could be a desperately unlucky omission for Murphy after the veteran left-arm finger spinner claimed 3-15 off 10 overs in a spell that helped reduce the Warriors to just 122 in their first innings.

The 35-year-old began the domestic season as Victoria’s first-choice spinner and has claimed 12 wickets in seven matches at 28.75, but Murphy’s incredible debut Test series leaves little chance he can hold his spot.

Victoria coach Chris Rogers said his side could only take one spinner into the match at the typically more pace-friendly conditions at the WACA.

“You have two high-class spinners, it’s always going to be a challenge when only one of them can play at the WACA,” Rogers said.

“That’s a conversation for the selectors, but with that you’ve got the confidence that whichever player is picked is going to perform well.”

Top-order batters Travis Dean (236 runs at 16.85 this season) and Ashley Chandrasinghe (271 runs at 20.84) are most at risk of losing their place in the team to returning captain Handscomb, with both repeatedly failing to fire since the Shield resumed last month.

Western Australia could spring up to three changes of their own as they look to secure back-to-back Shield titles, with Joel Paris (back), Matt Kelly (managed) and Lance Morris (international duties) all expected to return to the side.

Rogers said Victoria would go into the game with confidence after last week’s win and were not worried about the match giving the Warriors an opportunity to “work them out”.

“You can’t change too much in the space of a week … you might get a little bit of information from the opposition, but I’d much rather play on the back of a win at the WACA than a loss,” he said.

“We know we’re capable of winning at the WACA, and that’s a hurdle in itself, so we’re excited now that we have that win under our belts.”

Victoria encountered the same late-season schedule last year with a final round game at the WACA before travelling back for the final, and Rogers said the difference in result in the penultimate match would give the visitors an edge.

Western Australia claimed the title with a draw after Sam Whiteman and Aaron Hardie made centuries to steer them out of trouble at 5-110.

Victoria’s surge into the final, led by their young fast bowlers, had surprised Rogers and probably come two to three years ahead of schedule, he said.

“I think there’s been an element of freedom, and guys have been able to go out with confidence. It’s been quite extraordinary really,” he said.

Originally published as Sheffield Shield final: Selection headaches for Vics as Test stars return