The inclusion of Josh Hazlewood and a show of depth are the highlights of the 12-player NSW Men’s Team squad named for the third round of the 2024/25 Sheffield Shield against Queensland at Cricket Central, starting on Friday (1/11).
Test star Hazlewood, top order batters Kurtis Patterson and Blake Nikitaras, wicketkeeper Matthew Gilkes, quick Ryan Hadley and allrounders Jack Edwards and Chris Green come into the squad as part of seven changes to the side beaten by Victoria last week.
Out of the team go Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Sean Abbott on Australian ODI duty, while Sam Konstas and Josh Philippe will be absent as they represent Australia A against India A.
Jack Nisbet is being managed, as is Test spinner Nathan Lyon as he prepares for the upcoming Test summer in Australia and subsequent tour of Sri Lanka.
Cricket NSW Chief of Cricket Performance, Greg Mail, said the ability for NSW to select such a strong squad, despite the loss of high calibre players like Smith, Starc and Lyon was a testament to the Blues’ program.
“Last week in Melbourne was a rare chance to play some of our best talent,” Mail said.
“The team that will take the field this week shows the quality and depth that exists in our squad.
“Josh Hazlewood is obviously world class, and we are looking forward to seeing him for the first time in a few years.
“Blake Nikitaras and Kurtis Patterson have been scoring plenty of runs in Premier Cricket and deserve their recall, while Matthew Gilkes has shown more than once this season for the Blues that he is in great form.
“Jack Edwards also returns after managing some hamstring soreness and is one of our key players in all facets of the game.”
The match can be seen live on Kayo and cricket.com.au.
Sheffield Shield: NSW Blues vs Queensland – 10.30am on Friday 1/11 – Monday 4/11 at Cricket Central: Jackson Bird, Ollie Davies, Jack Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques ©, Nic Maddinson, Blake Nikitaras, Kurtis Patterson, Tanveer Sangha
