The Sheffield Shield is Australia’s domestic first-class cricket competition and has a rich history of over 100 years. New South Wales is the most successful team in this competition, having won 47 titles.
The tournament began in 1892-93 and has become an important part of Australia’s cricket culture, highlighting emerging talent from across the country. Victoria follows closely with 32 titles, just behind New South Wales.
Check this blog for a list of Sheffield Shield winners from the start of the competition and their performances over the years.
Sheffield Shield Winners So Far
Take a look at the winners’ list here,
| Team | No. of titles | Year |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 47 | 1895–96, 1896-97, 1899-00, 1901-02, 1902–03, 1903-04, 1904–05, 1905–06, 1906–07, 1908-09, 1910–11, 1911–12, 1913–14, 1919–20, 1920–21, 1922–23, 1925–26, 1928–29, 1931–32, 1932–33, 1937–38, 1939–40, 1948–49, 1949-50, 1951–52, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1955–56, 1956-57, 1957–58, 1958-59, 1959-60, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1964-65, 1965-66 1982–83, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1989–90, 1992–93, 1993-94, 2002-03, 2004-05, 2007-08, 2013–14, 2018-20 |
| Victoria | 32 | 1892–93, 1894–95, 1897–98, 1898–99, 1900–01, 1907–08, 1914–15, 1921-22, 1923-24, 1924–25, 1927–28, 1929–30, 1930–31, 1933-34, 1934-35, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1946–47, 1950–51, 1962–63, 1969-70, 1973–74, 1978–79, 1979-80, 1990–91, 2003-04, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2018–19 |
| Western Australia | 18 | 1947–48, 1967–68, 1971–72, 1972-73, 1974–75, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1983–84, 1986-87, 1987-88, 1988-89 1991–92, 1997–98, 1998-99, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023-24 |
| South Australia | 14 | 1893–94, 1909–10, 1912–13, 1926–27, 1935–36, 1938–39, 1952-53, 1963-64, 1968–69, 1970-71, 1975–76, 1981-82, 1995-96, 2024–25 |
| Queensland | 9 | 1994–95, 1996–97, 1999-00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2005–06, 2011–12, 2017–18, 2020–21 |
| Tasmania | 3 | 2006–07, 2010–11, 2012–13 |
Now let’s have a look at each team and their titles won over the years here,
New South Wales
New South Wales is the most successful team in Sheffield Shield history, with an impressive 47 titles. They dominated the competition in its early years and continued to be strong through the mid to late 20th century. Their strong domestic setup has produced many legendary Australian cricketers, and they’ve traditionally been a powerhouse in red-ball cricket.
However, in recent years, their dominance has slowed down. Their most recent title came in 2019–20, when the season was shortened due to COVID-19. Since then, they haven’t been able to add another trophy, struggling to find the consistency they once had.
Victoria
Victoria has won the Shield 32 times, making them the second most successful side in the competition. They’ve had strong runs in almost every era, especially during the 2000s and mid-2010s, backed by a solid mix of experienced players and rising talent. Their structure has allowed them to stay competitive through generations.
Their last title came in 2018–19, and they’ve remained a strong side since then. While they haven’t clinched a title in the past five years, Victoria continues to be one of the more balanced teams in the tournament.
Western Australia
Western Australia joined the Sheffield Shield a bit later than others but quickly rose to become a dominant side, winning 18 titles. They had strong periods in the 1970s and 80s and have continued to be a force in the modern era. Their aggressive playing style and player depth have helped them stay relevant across decades.
The team has been the standout team recently, winning three consecutive titles in 2021–22, 2022–23, and 2023–24. Their current form reflects the strength of their squad and coaching system, making them one of the top sides in the competition today.
South Australia
South Australia has claimed 14 titles over the course of Sheffield Shield history. They were one of the founding teams and enjoyed success in the early and mid-1900s. Although they haven’t always been at the top, they’ve produced top-tier talent and had moments of brilliance.
After a long gap without a title, South Australia finally ended their drought by winning the 2024–25 Shield season. This recent success has given a fresh boost to the team, signalling a possible return to form after decades of underachievement.
Queensland
Queensland had a long wait for their first Sheffield Shield title, finally breaking through in 1994–95 after decades of trying. Since then, they’ve won 9 titles, becoming a strong and consistent competitor in the tournament.
Their most recent title came in the 2020–21 season. Though they haven’t added another in the last few years, they remain a solid side capable of challenging the best when in form.
Tasmania
Tasmania joined the Sheffield Shield much later than the other states, in the 1977–78 season. Despite this, they’ve managed to win 3 titles, with their first coming in 2006–07.
Their last title came in 2012–13, and they haven’t lifted the trophy since then. Still, Tasmania continues to compete well and has shown signs of building a strong team for the future.
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Conclusion: New South Wales is the Most Successful Team in Sheffield Shield History!
The Sheffield Shield has been important in shaping Australian cricket for more than a century. It is still a key platform for emerging players to show their skills in the longest format of the game.
New South Wales is the most successful team in the competition’s history, with 47 titles, followed by Victoria, which has 32 titles. Several teams, such as Western Australia and South Australia, have performed well in recent years.
Each season, the tournament showcases the depth of talent across the country and adds new chapters to Australia’s rich cricketing tradition.
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