Another bit of trivia...

[Darky]

There are eight current cricketers (playing first-class cricket in Australia) who average 50 or more in Sheffield Shield games.

Who are they, and which current player has the highest average?

Remember, this is for Sheffield Shield games only, and does not include all-first class (ie. Tests, matches while on tours with Australia, matches for their state vs touring elevens, Australia A, etc. are not included).

Note : this question is based on their averages as of today, but the averages of these 8 players is extremely unlikely to drop below 50 before this question is answered. Two players currently averaging between 48 and 49.99 are a REMOTE chance of crossing the 50 mark if they make some big scores, which will be taken into account when the answers start rolling in...

 

[Wicked Lester]

I'm tipping:

Waugh,S
Waugh,M
Bevan
Lehmann
Ponting
Elliott
Hayden
Langer

with the highest average belonging to Ponting?

 

[Darky]

Correct.

Greg Blewett and Martin Love are currently playing in the QLD vs SA game at the Gabba, with Blewett needing 156 runs in two innings, and Love needing over 200 in his remaining innings (made 34 in the 1st) to join the club.

In his next Shield match, S.Waugh would have to make fewer than 11 runs, and be dismissed twice, to fall below 50. All the others are safe by a long way.