THE NSW Blues have named an extended 15-player squad, featuring Ulladulla's Matthew Gilkes, for the five-day Sheffield Shield final starting on April 15 at Brisbane's Allan Border Field, with the much sought-after domestic double now firmly in their sights.
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Gilkes' Blues defeated Western Australia by 102 runs at Bankstown Oval on Sunday to win the One-Day Cup and claim their 12th 50-over crown.
Nine of the eleven players that were part of the team to secure victory over Western Australia have been included in the shield squad for the clash against Queensland.
Among those players selected are Australian stars Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon as well as Sunday's standouts Jack Edwards and all-rounder Sean Abbott.
Edwards was named player of the final after his composed 108 steered the Blues to what turned out to be an imposing 8-251.
It was his second century at the one-day domestic level.
In his return from split webbing in his right hand, Abbott claimed 4-23 from seven overs picking up the vital wickets of Sixers teammate Josh Philippe (14), Warriors captain Mitch Marsh (17), the dangerous Josh Inglis (29) and Ashton Turner (one).
Captain Peter Nevill is part of the squad with his availability dependent on the pending birth of his second child.
Exciting leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha has again been included as a potential debutant and would receive Baggy Blue cap number 756, if he was to gain selection in the 11 for the shield final against Queensland.
Sangha is joined by 20-year-old Lachlan Hearne in the Shield squad who made 50 on first-class debut during the draw against Queensland over Easter.
Proving himself as a genuine allrounder this season, Abbott is the Blues second leading run-scorer in the shield behind Moises Henriques (633), who is unavailable due to Indian Premier League duties.
Abbott has scored 525 runs at an average of 75 including a maiden first-class ton.
"Obviously a massive game for us next week against another good side who are in some good form, we'll enjoy the (One-Day Cup) win ... and then take that into next week," Abbott said following Sunday's final.
Edwards was equally excited about the possibility of the double.
"Super excited. I was talking to Daniel Hughes before and we got the Big Bash title with the Sixers and now the one-day, so hopefully against the Bulls we can get that third one for the season, that would be pretty amazing," Edwards said on Sunday.
Queensland earned hosting rights for the shield final by finishing top of the table, less than two points clear of the Blues.
A rain-affected draw against Queensland at North Dalton Park in Wollongong over Easter was enough for NSW to qualify for the final after Western Australia fell short of an outright win against Tasmania.
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Courtney Ward
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
Sports Journalist for South Coast Register and Milton-Ulladulla Times, who loves all things sport and travel. All views are my own.
