Mitchell Johnson: Sheffield Shield final should be full of our Aussie Test cricket stars. But it’s not

As a youngster, I joined the Queensland cricket set-up as the State won a hat-trick of Sheffield Shield titles.

Now Western Australia has the chance to do a shield hat-trick for the second time in their history, after the late 1980s, and become the first State ever to win three consecutive shield and one-day titles together.

I get the same sort of vibe with this current WA side as I did when I first came onto the scene for Queensland in first-class cricket. I genuinely see and feel so many similarities.

At Queensland once we even discussed if we had to change state to play cricket, where would it be? Plenty, me included, said WA because of the similarities in the way we played the game and went about it on and off the field.

Back when I started Queensland had a gun side with so much talent. I didn’t get to play in any of those finals but what a golden era of cricket for Queensland to be around with that hat-trick from 1999/00 to 2001/02.

WA struggled for many years, finishing either fourth or fifth in the shield competition 13 times this century before the breakthrough win two years ago.

Reaching such a great position now comes with plenty of hard work, on and off the field, from all involved including staff in the background, assistant coaches, physios, fitness trainers and many more.

The improvement has been driven from the culture they have created, a winning culture that drives you in tough moments when you aren’t at full strength. It’s underpinned by an attitude of leaving no one behind and belief in everyone’s ability.

This week’s all-or-nothing win against Victoria in Melbourne to set up the home final came without key bowlers Jhye Richardson and Lance Morris as well as Mitch Marsh, Cam Green and Ashton Turner.

There is so much more than just turning up and playing. At the Bulls, it was about keeping each other honest and pushing the limits - while knowing we all had each other’s back.

Those hard training sessions when you thought you were cooked but your mate next to you would pick you up and tell you that you can do it and to push. It’s all the same stuff I see with the WACAs, keeping each other accountable but also knowing you can’t let your mate down.

The last time Tassie and WA played in Perth back in October was not the most exciting game, with a draw on a flat pitch after WA made nearly 600 in their only innings.

But that was the only draw in the shield competition at the WACA Ground this season. It’s certainly not the type of pitch we want to see repeated and I’m sure there will be the usual pressure to produce a good cricket wicket for this final.

WA have the team to play in most conditions and a quiet confidence ahead of a home final. Tassie will have some extra motivation with the announcement experienced and explosive wicketkeeper/batsman Matthew Wade will retire from shield cricket after the final.

It’s disappointing Test all-rounders Green and Marsh are not making the shield final their priority ahead of going to the Indian Premier League and won’t take part.

I’m sure they have their reasons, but is it a good look? Probably not. Australian cricket should be the first priority. Unfortunately, this is modern cricket. We can sit back and give our opinion on it as past players, but each player has their own path now.

Anything can happen in finals and it will come down to it all coming together and winning the big moments.

While WA enters the match in a stronger position, no matter the result the future of first-class cricket here looks strong for years to come.

The re-signing of coach Adam Voges is important but his support staff also play a valuable role.

WACA staff challenge the players by making them think about the game and how to get better. They have great professional relationships with them and a good understanding of all players in the squad.

If you’re a new player, you are welcomed into the group. The players have a lot of trust in each other and they are genuine mates off the field.

A mate who is involved in the WACA set-up said to me that on a recent trip with them, he noticed how close knit these guys are. There were no little groups going off for breakfast. Instead, it was the whole team on most occasions sticking together as a group.

Whether that means anything when they get out on the field this week, to me it’s a demonstration of unity as a cricket team and as a group of mates and that shows in the way they play.