Steven Smith and Mitchell Starc Lead New South Wales in Sheffield Shield Clash with Victoria

Australian cricket stars Steven Smith and Mitchell Starc are set to take the field for New South Wales in the upcoming Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The duo's participation signals a significant boost for the Blues as they prepare for the international summer.

While pace bowler Pat Cummins and fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood are not expected to feature in the Shield match, they remain on track to participate in the One-Day Cup fixture on October 25th. Cummins is likely to focus on the upcoming Test series against India, with Hazlewood's involvement also uncertain due to the Shield's third round coinciding with the start of the ODI series against Pakistan.

Sean Abbott is also set to make a return for New South Wales after missing the opening round due to a minor injury sustained during the England tour. Australia's premier spinner Nathan Lyon, who claimed eight wickets against South Australia, will once again don the blue jersey for the Sheffield Shield.

Victoria is expected to field Scott Boland, setting the stage for an intriguing contest against New South Wales' young opener Sam Konstas. Konstas, who recently earned a call-up to the Australia A squad following his impressive twin centuries against South Australia, will be one to watch in this clash.

Starc's last Shield appearance was in the 2020-21 final against Queensland, while Smith's was against Victoria in February 2021. The return of these two cricketing heavyweights to the Shield is a testament to their commitment to domestic cricket and their desire to fine-tune their skills ahead of a busy international schedule.

The New South Wales squad for the match will include a mix of experience and youth, with the likes of Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Ollie Davies, and others joining the ranks. The full squad list is expected to be announced in the coming days, with fans eagerly awaiting the clash between these two cricketing powerhouses.