Shield's leading opener facing the axe for season decider

Despite holding the highest average of any opening batter this season, Travis Dean faces the prospect of losing his spot in Victoria's side for next week's Marsh Sheffield Shield final.

After helping guide the Vics into the Shield decider with a double of 146 and 47 in a thrilling final-hour, two-wicket win against Tasmania last Friday, Dean is set to be joined by Will Pucovski at the top of the order for this week's clash against Western Australia at the WACA Ground.

With Marcus Harris also expected to return following the conclusion of Australia's Test tour of Pakistan on Friday, the 30-year-old Dean could yet be forced out of the team for the final beginning on March 31, which Victoria will host if they beat or draw with WA.

It's a role the right-hander says he's "come around to" over the past few seasons, with Harris and Pucovski, who have dominated the past four Shield seasons with averages of 58.8 and 70.4 respectively, regularly called up for national duties.

The return from injury this week of Matt Short has only added to the selection squeeze in Victoria's top six, with the allrounder expected to play against WA in a middle order that also includes former Test batters Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson.

Dean, who was Victoria's last Sheffield Shield winning captain in 2018-19, is enjoying his most fruitful summer since 2017-18 and his current season average of 60.5 is the highest in his seven-year first-class career.

Having averaged just 24.7 in 18 matches over the past three seasons, he says he's pleased to repay the trust the playing group, coaches and selectors have shown in him.

"I've been fortunate every time there's been a spot available, I've been the first guy they go to – almost a third opener – it's just repaying that trust," he told cricket.com.au after his second century of the season last week, which broke a run of three single-figure scores.

"I've been in the same position for three or four years now, so I've sort of come around to it and as long as our guys are performing up the top and getting Test selection, I always feel like I'm a chance.

"I've played four games this year, so each year feels like it's around the same mark.

"You don't just sit around, moping around feeling sorry for yourself (when not selected). You've got to be ready to go when you're called upon and (I'm) fortunate enough that Marcus Harris gets his shot in the Test squad and unfortunately Will's had his issues and he's on his way back now so that's good to see for him.

"Obviously, I'd like to play every game but our squad is so strong and we've got two really good openers and we've got James Seymour as well. He's come in a performed early in the year.

"You've always got to be on your game and performing and if you're not, you're probably going to get left out.

Victoria captain Handscomb says Dean has the backing of his teammates despite being in and out of the side over the past three seasons.

"There's never been a question of whether he can perform or not," he told cricket.com.au last week.

"It's just that we've had international openers at the top, so it's been pretty hard to get him in when they're playing.

"He's in a good spot in his professional career, he seems like he's in a really good headspace. When he gets that opportunity, he seems to be taking it at the moment so it's great to see and I really hope he can keep doing it."

Victoria will qualify for the Shield final unless they lose to WA and NSW beat South Australia and score 3.41 more bonus points, which would involve scoring 450 first innings runs and bowling SA inside the first 100 overs of their first innings.

2021-22 Sheffield Shield averages: Openers* 

Travis Dean (Victoria): 4 matches, 363 runs, 60.5 average 

Daniel Hughes (NSW): 5 matches, 337 runs, 48.17 average 

Sam Whiteman (Western Australia): 5 matches, 370 runs, 46.25 average 

Tim Ward (Tasmania): 7 matches, 537 runs, 41.3 average 

Jake Weatherald (South Australia): 6 matches, 367 runs, 40.77 average 

Marcus Harris (Victoria): 4 matches, 322 runs, 40.25 average 

Henry Hunt (South Australia): 7 matches, 467 runs, 38.91 average 

Cale Jewell (Tasmania): 7 matches, 464 runs, 35.69 average 

Bryce Street (Queensland): 8 matches, 451 runs, 30.06 average 

Cameron Bancroft (Western Australia): 6 matches, 323 runs, 29.36 average 

Joe Burns (Queensland): 7 matches, 351 runs, 29.25 average 

*Min 300 runs

WA squad: Shaun Marsh (c), Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Aaron Hardie, Sam Fanning, Cameron Gannon, Matthew Kelly, David Moody, Lance Morris, Joel Paris, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, D’Arcy Short, Sam Whiteman, Teague Wyllie 

Victoria squad: Peter Handscomb (c), Travis Dean, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Jon Holland, Nic Maddinson, Cam McClure, James Pattinson, Mitch Perry, Will Pucovski, James Seymour, Matt Short, Will Sutherland