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NSW Blues bank on building cricket dynasty on back of 47th Sheffield Shield title

News Corp Australia
The Sheffield Shield winning captain and coach, Peter Nevill and Phil Jaques.
Camera IconThe Sheffield Shield winning captain and coach, Peter Nevill and Phil Jaques. Credit: NSW Blues

Winning a record 47th Sheffield Shield title should be just the start for a NSW squad ladened with talent and ready to build “something special”.

Four months after winning the title, without a ball being bowled in the final with the season shortened due to the coronavirus, the NSW Blues finally have the historic trophy in their hands.

Captain Peter Nevill and coach Phil Jaques posed with the shield at the SCG on Friday before quickly shifting their attention to a Blues dynasty on the domestic stage.

The New South Welshmen have claimed 47 Sheffield Shields, more first-class titles than any other team in world cricket, but they aren’t done yet.

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Coach Jaques believes the Blues are perfectly placed to take advantage of a deep stock of bowlers, young batsmen and international players like Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Steve Smith.

“We are really building towards something special,” Jaques said.

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“I think we can (build a dynasty) if we stay on the course and we keep challenging each other to get better.

“It’s why I think we have tension in the line-up and guys pushing each other.

“We want a real competitive squad, but we also want a squad that is moving in the right direction all the time.

The NSW Blues squad, with Australian-contracted players on the top tier.
Camera IconThe NSW Blues squad, with Australian-contracted players on the top tier. Credit: NSW Blues

“At the moment we’ve got that, but we have to stay on path.

“I’d like to see some sustained success here in my time as coach. We’ve got the most talented youngsters; we’ve just got to find a way to keep them hungry.”

Nevill was rapt to receive the Sheffield Shield trophy, maintaining its late arrival has done nothing to diminish the Blues’ commanding campaign.

“We’ve been awarded the shield because we dominated the season,” he said.

“We won twice as many games as the next placed team, so it is rewarding whether you get to play in a final or not.

“In the context of things in the world, we certainly won’t be complaining.

“It is something that I’ve reflected on a lot. It is the culmination of a lot of hard work from a lot of people.”

The 2020-2021 Sheffield Shield season starting date is yet to be locked in due to the coronavirus pandemic that is causing havoc in Melbourne.

The Shield traditionally starts in late October, but if the virus is still prominent then it could force the season to be delayed.

Nevill says Sydney could become the epicentre for the Sheffield Shield next season.

“Whether that is a hub at the SCG where we play all our games, I’m more than open for that,” he said.

“We will be as adaptable as we need to be to ensure we can play.

“But we’ve got a fair bit of time up our sleeve, so it is fortunate in one sense that we will be able to plan as best we can as to how we progress.”

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