Sheffield Shield makes comeback

One of the great Australian sporting traditions will return this summer with the Sheffield Shield reinstated as the name of the interstate first-class cricket competition for 2008/09.

Cricket Australia announced on Monday morning that it had signed a five-year deal with Weet-Bix to revive the historic title.

Australia's pre-eminent domestic four-day competition was known as the Sheffield Shield for 107 seasons - from its inception in 1892/93 until 1998/99 which was the final year before it was renamed the Pura Milk Cup and subsequently the Pura Cup from 2000/01 up until last season.

"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," Cricket Australia CEO 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."