Cricket's most revered domestic trophy will resume its rightful place in the Australian game this summer.
Cricket Australia today formally announced the Sheffield Shield would return as the prize to be fought over by the six states during the domestic first-class summer after an absence of nine years, during which the competition was known as the Pura Cup.
Instead of being sullied by a naming rights sponsor, the Shield will be "presented by" Weet-Bix, a fact underlined by this morning's launch over breakfast at the MCG.
"Cricket Australia is passionate about bringing back the history and tradition of the Sheffield Shield and we are appreciative of Weet-Bix for giving us the opportunity to do this," CA chief executive James Sutherland said.
"This interstate first-class competition is most certainly the foundation upon which our number one ranked Australian Test team has been built.
"I look forward to watching with interest the new breed of Australian players rising through the ranks by playing (for) the Sheffield Shield."
The shield, bought with a donation to the states from Lord Sheffield in 1892, was contested for every season from then until 1999, when CA (then the Australian Cricket Board) elected to find a naming rights sponsor to compensate for the losses incurred annually by a competition played in front of handfuls of spectators.
However, the abrupt retirement of the shield itself caused considerable angst among players and purists, who argued that the expense of the shield is more than covered by the success of a national side built on a sturdy domestic foundation.
Battered by years of rowdy celebrations from winning sides, the venerable trophy has been lovingly restored during its hiatus.
