Strike fast bowlers Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis, along with prodigious leg spinner Tanveer Sangha, will make welcome returns to the 13-player NSW squad selected for this week’s must-win day-night Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania at Ninja Stadium in Hobart.
Abbott, Dwarshuis and Sangha were part of the Australian squad eliminated in the semi finals of the Champions Trophy but are back with the pink ball in hand and aiming to help NSW qualify for their first Shield final since 2020/21.
Blake Nikitaras is the fourth player returning to the group for this match.
Ryan Hadley, Nic Maddinson and Lachlan Shaw drop out of the 12 that contested last week’s draw with Western Australia.
The Blues’ assignment for the competition’s last regular season match is simple.
Firstly, Greg Shipperd’s third-placed side must win and hope runaway ladder leaders South Australia dispose of Queensland at Karen Rolton Oval.
A win to second-placed Queensland and a victory for NSW could see bonus points come into play, while either Western Australia or Victoria are still a chance to leapfrog both Queensland and NSW, given several of the right results going their way.
For the full standings and all match results, click here.
The match can be seen live on Kayo and cricket.com.au
Sheffield Shield: NSW Blues vs Tasmania – 2.30pm (AEDT) from Saturday 15/3 – Tuesday 18/3 at Ninja Stadium, Hobart: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Ollie Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards ©, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Liam Hatcher, Sam Konstas, Blake Nikitaras, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha
