Top Sheffield Shield Horror Collapses and How They Happened

In cricket, nothing haunts a team more than a sudden collapse. Defined by the rapid fall of multiple wickets for very few runs, a “horror collapse” can turn a position of comfort into humiliation within a session. The Sheffield Shield, Australia’s premier first-class competition, has witnessed many such disasters over its long history, even in matches that would ultimately decide who lifted the Sheffield Shield trophy.

These moments stay in the memory because of their drama and shock value. Fans expect collapses at the club level, but when elite players representing their states fall apart, the lessons are profound. They highlight the unforgiving nature of cricket: a lapse in concentration, a spell of inspired bowling, or a tricky pitch can undo hours of patient work.

This article revisits some of the most infamous collapses in Sheffield Shield history, from the latest disasters in the 2024–25 season to older cautionary tales. More than just a list of failures, it is a study of pressure, psychology, and the fine margins that define Australia’s toughest domestic competition.

Queensland Bowled Out for 95 in the 2024/25 Final vs South Australia

The 2024/25 Sheffield Shield final at Karen Rolton Oval will be remembered as one of the most stunning examples of a batting implosion. Queensland, boasting stalwarts like Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, were tipped as favourites against a resurgent South Australia side. Instead, they walked off shell-shocked after being dismissed for just 95 runs in their first innings.

South Australia opted to bowl first, gambling on early movement in the pitch. The gamble paid off spectacularly. Queensland lost 5 wickets for just 7 runs in the space of 34 balls. Brendan Doggett, once a Queensland bowler himself, tore through the line-up with figures of 6 for 31. Khawaja nicked off early, Labuschagne was trapped lbw, and the middle order crumbled without resistance.

This collapse was historic. It was the lowest first-innings score in a Shield final outside Sydney, a damning statistic for a team known for producing resilient batting units. The psychological blow was immense: instead of dictating the contest, Queensland found themselves chasing the game from the start. For South Australia, it was the perfect springboard to a long-awaited title challenge.

Top-Order Collapse by Queensland on Opening Day vs SA (Final, 2024/25)

If the final’s overall scoreline was bad, the manner of Queensland’s top-order implosion made it worse. Finals are about setting tone and confidence, yet Queensland’s experienced campaigners could not weather the initial storm.

Khawaja, Labuschagne, and Joe Burns all departed cheaply, leaving the side tottering at 3 for 20. The collapse was not about extraordinary deliveries but about pressure. South Australia’s bowlers bowled full, straight, and consistently, forcing errors and tentative footwork. Queensland’s batters appeared unable to adapt to the conditions or the magnitude of the moment.

The collapse underscored how critical partnerships are in finals cricket. Without an anchor or stabiliser in the top order, the rest of the line-up was exposed. A side that entered the final with optimism found itself chasing the game by lunchtime on the first day.WA vs South Australia, WACA – February 2025: 20 Wickets in a Day

Western Australia’s clash with South Australia at the WACA in February 2025 produced a day of cricket that bordered on the surreal. Twenty wickets fell in a single day, a testament both to the pitch and to poor batting judgment.

WA began reasonably well at 2 for 72 but collapsed spectacularly to 120 all out. South Australia, eager to cash in, started brightly but then mirrored their opponents’ downfall, tumbling from 2 for 53 to all out 124.

The WACA pitch offered bounce and seam, but it was not unplayable. Instead, rash strokes and nervous shot selection contributed heavily to the carnage. Batsmen failed to adjust their techniques, chasing balls outside off-stump and playing across the line.

The collapse highlighted the Shield’s unique challenge: unlike limited-overs cricket, four-day matches demand patience and technical discipline. Those who failed to respect the conditions paid the price.

“Nathan McSweeney vs Tasmania” Horror 8-21 Collapse

Another low point came when South Australia endured an astonishing collapse of 8 for 21 against Tasmania. Captain Nathan McSweeney tried valiantly to hold the innings together, but wickets fell around him at an alarming pace.

What made this collapse particularly jarring was its inevitability. Tasmania’s bowlers built relentless pressure, hitting the right lengths repeatedly. South Australia’s batters, rather than digging in, tried to counter-attack and paid the price. Partnerships never materialised, and once the first cracks appeared, the rest of the order folded almost without a fight.

The collapse reinforced the unforgiving nature of first-class cricket: once momentum shifts, it can snowball. Even leaders like McSweeney, who showed grit, cannot rescue an innings single-handedly when support evaporates.

Usman Khawaja’s Fight That Ended in Collapse: QLD vs SA Close Match (2023)

One of the most heartbreaking collapses in recent memory came in 2023, when Queensland faced South Australia in a tense Shield encounter. Chasing 273 to win, Queensland appeared to be cruising at 2 for 179. With Usman Khawaja anchoring the innings, the chase seemed destined for success.

Then came the unravelling. Wickets began to fall steadily: Khawaja’s dismissal triggered panic, and despite having eight wickets in hand, Queensland could not cross the line. They lost their last eight wickets for roughly 90 runs, falling short by just three runs.

This collapse was not rapid like others but was instead a slow strangulation. South Australia tightened their bowling, dried up runs, and forced rash decisions. The inability to rotate strike, combined with mounting scoreboard pressure, proved fatal.

For Queensland, it was a bitter reminder that in cricket, no chase is safe until the final run is scored. For South Australia, it was one of their sweetest victories in years, achieved through discipline and nerve.

Common Themes Across These Collapses

Looking across these collapses, certain themes emerge that explain why such disasters occur even at the elite domestic level.

• Early Wickets Under Pressure: Losing senior players early destabilises the innings, leaving the middle order exposed.

• Lack of Partnerships: Collapses often snowball because no two batters take control to halt the slide.

• Pitch and Conditions: Whether a green WACA surface or seaming conditions in Adelaide, bowlers exploit helpful conditions better than batters adapt.

• Psychological Momentum: Once two or three wickets fall quickly, panic sets in. The mental pressure of stopping a collapse often proves too heavy.

These commonalities remind teams that collapses are rarely just about “good balls”; they are about failing to manage moments and pressure.

What Batting Teams Could Learn — Tactics & Mindset

Avoiding a horror collapse requires both tactical and mental preparation. First, strong opening partnerships are crucial. Even 30–40 steady runs can blunt the new ball and ease nerves. Second, adaptability matters. Batters must adjust to pitch conditions, whether that means leaving more deliveries, playing straighter, or being willing to grind for runs.

Just as important is mental resilience. Teams need batters who treat the scoreboard situation calmly, refusing to be overawed by the collapse happening around them. Leadership, communication in the middle, and sticking to pre-set plans can often arrest the slide before it spirals out of control.

Why These Collapses Capture the Imagination

Fans remember these collapses not only because they are rare but because of the emotions they provoke. A side on top one moment can be humbled the next. The drama of ten wickets falling in a session, or a chase crumbling by a handful of runs, adds to the folklore of the Sheffield Shield.

For players, these collapses are painful lessons. For spectators, they are reminders that cricket is never predictable, and that the game can turn in the blink of an eye.

Conclusion: Collapse, Recovery, and the Way Forward

The Sheffield Shield has given Australian cricket some of its proudest moments, but it has also provided a catalogue of collapses that remain etched in memory. Queensland’s finals nightmare in 2024/25, South Australia’s 8-for-21 disaster, and WA’s implosion at the WACA all underline the same truth: no team is immune.

Collapses are part of cricket’s fabric. They sting, but they also shape teams, teaching resilience and sparking comebacks in future matches. What matters is not the collapse itself, but how teams respond. In the Sheffield Shield, as in life, it is the recovery after failure that defines champions.