With the Matador Cup ending with former Outlaws opener Ed Cowan reigning victorious as part of the New South Wales side, attention turned to the first round of Sheffield Shield matches.
A strong Nottinghamshire influence continued to help their States in the four-day format, the players getting used to the pink ball as all the games were designated as day/night experiments.
Away from Australia, Imran Tahir helped South Africa to a series victory over India and Auckland, where Andre Adams is plying his trade as bowling coach, edged to victory over the Northern Districts.
New South Wales v South Australia
New South Wales boast one of the strongest teams in the Shield, their line up full of international stars including Australia captain Steve Smith and fast bowler Mitchell Starc. Add to that the likes of Ed Cowan, David Warner, Josh Hazlewood and Peter Nevill and you could easily see them adding Sheffield Shield victory to their Matador Cup success.
Cowan, intent on continuing his fine form so far this season, was integral to NSW’s 215-run victory, making 31 & 107* at the top of the innings. Smith (67 & 152*) and Starc (5-28 and 3-62) also made telling contributions as the Blues got their campaign off to a flying start.
Western Australia v Tasmania
With Adam Voges now one of the most experienced players in the Australian set up, having been maintained in the national squad for the upcoming Test against New Zealand, the Victorian captain was looking to use the first round of Shield matches to continue his form. Combining with Michael Klinger, who went on to score an unbeaten 202, in the first innings he did just that, making 71 before Jackson Bird had him caught behind.
Voges only added eight in the second innings, but thanks to Klinger adding an unbeaten fifty and a maiden century from Ashton Agar in the first innings, Western Australia are in a good position heading in to the final day.
Queensland v Victoria
In Melbourne, Dan Christian and Peter Siddle’s Victoria look to be set for first round victory over Queensland, as they go in to the final day requiring a further 191 to win with ten wickets in hand.
Christian (2-37 in the first innings) and Siddle (3-21 in Queensland’s second innings total of 103) have both made contributions with the ball whilst hundreds from Travis Dean, on debut, and Peter Handscomb meant neither were needed with the bat during the first outing.
South Africa v India
A constant thorn in India’s side throughout the five-match One Day International series, Imran Tahir was once again amongst the wickets as South Africa cantered to series victory with a 214-run win.
Backing up the work of Dale Steyn (3-38) and Kagiso Rabada (4-41), the leg spinner took 2-50, including the wicket of the dangerous MS Dhoni, as India were all out for 224.
However, the majority of the credit was preserved for Quinton de Kock (109), Faf du Plessis (133) and AB De Villiers (119 off 61) as the tourists amassed 438 from their 50 overs.
Tahir has gone on to take 1-16 in the warm-up game against Indian Board President’s XI as he looks to earn a place in the Test side for the first time since the end of 2014.
Andre Adams’ Auckland Edge To Victory Over Northern Districts
Following his eight-year spell with Nottinghamshire, and a three-month stint with Hampshire in 2015, Andre Adams has retired and headed back to Auckland to be part of the coaching set up with the side in the Plunket Shield.
The bowling coach would have been happy with the first innings efforts in the latest round, Michael Bates (4-29) and Mitchell McClenaghan (2-46) helping bowl Northern Districts out for 124.
However, bowled out for 98 in their own first innings, Auckland were left requiring the highest total of the match in a fourth innings chase, 233, as the bowlers combined to dismiss ND for 206 second time around.
Solid fifties from Rob Nicol, Colin de Grandhomme and Colin Munro took Auckland to within striking distance and despite a late wobble; Ben Cachopa and Bates guided them to a three-wicket victory.
The 2015 season has seen dramatic last-gasp four day victories, thrilling limited-overs contests and an historic Investec Ashes Test, all in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.
Next season, we’d wager, will be no less enthralling and frankly we’d hate for you to miss out.