South Australia needs back-to-back wins for a chance to make the Sheffield Shield final
South Australia’s Tom Cooper is the top runscorer in the Sheffield Shield this season and could yet reach the 1000 runs mark. But he has his eyes on a bigger prize.
SA Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Howzat! Bowler’s amazing 10 wickets in an innings
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Breaking the 1000-run barrier would be a coup but remaining in the Sheffield Shield final hunt and puncturing Victoria’s defence would be sweeter for Tom Cooper.
A year after being dropped by state selectors Cooper, 33, is the leading competition run-scorer this season with 749 at an average of 62.
If Cooper surpasses his career-best 881 runs in 2013-14 and reaches 1000-runs then the Redbacks will have a solid shot at wins against Victoria and Queensland required to face New South Wales in the Shield final.
“It is nice to have contributed to a couple of wins to get us in to a position where we are potentially a chance of making a final again and hopefully more before the end of the season,” said Cooper.
Watch every match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup LIVE & Ad-Break Free with FOX CRICKET on KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
“Personally it would be lovely to continue on some good form.”
Having survived on a string of one-year deals Cooper is philosophical about his impressive aggregate this season.
“I wish I had the answer because I would have done it more often,” said Cooper.
“Preparation has been really good this year and I guess every batsman says it but the runs don’t necessarily show how good or bad you are batting, a bit of luck is involved.”
The Redbacks recalled spearhead Daniel Worrall – rested for the loss against New South Wales in Bankstown – and batsman Jake Lehmann on a pitch that should suit a four-pronged pace attack.
“The wicket here leads to competitive attacking cricket. We have generally had some good success against the Vics at home, so hopefully hit the ground running and put ourselves in a really good position,” said Cooper.
Opener Marcus Harris, who recorded 1188 runs in 2018-19 and another former Test batsman Nic Maddinson dramatically reinforce third-placed Victoria’s batting in a crunch contest starting Friday at Adelaide Oval. Maddinson has 648 runs at 92.5 this season.
“They are flying at the moment,” said Cooper with Victoria banking consecutive away triumphs.
“We also have been playing some really good cricket apart from a slip up last week so everything suggests it will be a really good game. Maddo is in really good touch and Harris has shown how good he is.”
Coopers’ view is ‘never say never’ when it comes a return for Holland in the Twenty20 World Cup starting in October but won’t distracted from the task at hand.
“I guess the focus is on this season and winning a couple more games for the Redbacks,” he said.