The Pura Cup (formerly known as the Sheffield Shield) is the domestic first class cricket competition in Australia. Each of the six state teams play in a round-robin series of home and away 4-day matches against every other team. Teams are awarded points based on the results of the match, and after each pair of teams have played each other twice, the two highest ranked teams play a 5-day final. A separate limited overs competition known as the Ford Ranger Cup runs concurrently.
The new tournament commenced in the summer of 1892 with the three colonies playing for a silver shield named after its benefactor.
Sponsorship and name change
In 1999, the Australian Cricket Board (now Cricket Australia) announced a 4 year sponsorship deal which included renaming the Sheffield Shield to the Pura Milk Cup, then to the Pura Cup the following season. Pura is a brand name of National Foods a wholly owned subsidiary of the Philippines based San Miguel Corporation.
Although the competition had been running with losses of several million dollars per annum, cricket traditionalists protested strongly, arguing against the encroaching wave of commercialism damaging the competition that had been running for over 100 years. Many cricket lovers still refer to the competition as the "Shield" either as force of habit, or as a subtle protest.
The sponsorship increased total annual prize money to A$220,000, with the winners receiving A$75,000 and the runners up A$45,000.
Home grounds are the main venues used for home games by each team; other venues in the home state of each team are also regularly used.
Points system
A number of different systems have been used over the years. Currently, points are awarded for each match during the home and away season, with the top two teams playing in the final. The team with the most points hosts the final on their home ground and only needs to draw that match to win the title.
Category
What it means
Points
First innings points
The team that scores the most runs in their first innings, whether they bat first or second
2 - retained even if beaten outright
Outright win
The team that wins the match, whether they win, lose or tie the first innings
6 - maximum points
Tied match
If both teams finish on equal runs after completing two innings each
3 - irrespective of first innings result
Tied innings
Equal runs on first innings and no outright result
1 each
Outright loss
Team who loses the match after a tie in the first innings
1
First innings loss
Team with the least amount of runs in the first innings
0
Outright loss
Team who loses the match after losing in the first innings
0
Abandoned/Draw
Abandoned or drawn match with no first innings result
0
Winners table
Prior to the introduction of a Final in 1982/83, the team with most points after the home and away rounds was declared the winner.
The Player of the Year award is announced at the end of each season[1]. Since it's inception in 1976 it has been awarded to the player or players who are considered to have returned consistently magnificent performances by a panel of judges. Victorian and South Australian batsman Matthew Elliott has won the award the most times, being awarded Player of the Year on 3 separate occasions.
1982/83 - Final introduced. Tasmania finally entered the competition after many years of exclusion on the grounds that the contest was between the mainland states only.
Pura Cup season 2007-08
Australia
Tasmania
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Victoria
Western Australia
South Australia
Queensland
