Test star Marnus Labuschagne is one of several Australian players who will line up in Sheffield Shield matches across the country in the last round of games before the competition goes on break for the BBL and the Test series against Pakistan and the West Indies.
Labuschagne and some of his World Cup-winning teammates returned from India last week, with the stylish batter set to play for Queensland in their match against Western Australia at the Gabba.
It’s a strong squad that also includes Test opener Usman Khawaja, who has featured in three Shield matches this summer, hitting a brilliant century against South Australia earlier this month.
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The Bulls are last on the ladder heading into the final round of matches before Christmas, and they face a daunting challenge against the defending champions, with Western Australia set to unleash Cameron Green as he tries to find form ahead of the Tests.
The all-rounder played just three games at the ODI World Cup and is desperate to impress selectors after he was dropped for the final Ashes Test.
Green will also represent the Prime Minister’s XI next week as he tries to gain some red-ball confidence, with the young gun hoping to repeat his heroics from two years ago when he smashed a double century against the Bulls.
The Blues will also get a Test star back, with Nathan Lyon returning for his third Shield game of the season having been rested from their recent trip to Tasmania.
The veteran off-spinner has taken four wickets in his two first-class matches since coming back from a calf injury that ended his Ashes campaign prematurely.
Meanwhile, Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey returns for the Redbacks, looking to bounce back after he was dropped from Australia’s ODI squad just one game into the recent World Cup.
South Australia is looking to stay in touch with the top two teams and has been helped out massively, with Victoria set to be without key bowlers Scott Boland and Todd Murphy for the match at the Adelaide Oval.
Boland has been rested as part of Cricket Australia’s planning ahead of the international summer, while Murphy – who made his Test debut earlier this year – is dealing with shoulder soreness.
Veteran seamer Peter Siddle replaces Boland for the trip, while Marcus Harris has another chance to impress national selectors as he battles to replace David Warner at the top of the order in 2024.
“With this being our last game before the BBL kicks off, it is a fantastic opportunity for our players to put their hands up for Test selection,” Cricket Victoria’s head of male cricket David Hussey said.
“We continue to work with Cricket Australia to manage Scott Boland before a big international summer, with the plan being to build up to the Tests against Pakistan and the West Indies.
“We’re keen to have Scott around the group in Adelaide as a senior player to support and assist our younger players. He will still train with the boys, and it is a good opportunity for him to keep hitting his workloads while also being around the group.
“We’ve taken a cautious approach with Todd and while he was close to playing, we feel it is best to make sure he is 100 per cent fit before he returns to the side.
“It is a great opportunity for Doug Warren to play a second straight game after an impressive debut last week against Queensland.”
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