Sheffield Shield 2024-25: Khawaja, Labuschagne, Marsh set to play first round; Smith, Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood set to be rested

Opener Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne of Queensland and Mitchell Marsh of Western Australia are named in the first round squads of the upcoming Sheffield Shield. Australia currently have no international fixture and to prepare well for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which is slated to begin on November 22, these cricketers have been named for the domestic tournament.

As per reports, the majority of the senior cricketers however decided to skip the first round. The likes of Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are likely to opt out of it but some of them are expected to return for New South Wales (NSW) in the second round against Victoria at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Notably, Smith’s batting position is currently under the scanner and that is likely one of the reasons behind him sitting out.

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The pace trio of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood are expected to miss the first round to manage their workload. The goal is to remain fit for all the five Test matches against India, which can eventually decide their fate in the World Test Championship (WTC). Meanwhile, star spinner Nathan Lyon is expected to feature for NSW, as he hasn’t played a lot of red-ball cricket after his county stint with Lancashire got over in June. When it comes to Marsh, he will solely play as a batter.

Head, Carey to feature for South Australia; Green out with injury

Travis Head and Alex Carey are expected to feature in the first round of Sheffield Shield for South Australia. On the other hand, star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell (Victoria) is set to miss the first round but is expected to return against NSW in the second round. Cameron Green meanwhile will miss the first round for Western Australia, as he is still recovering from a back injury.

There’s no clarity on when Green will be back in action but it is expected he will be back in action before India’s Australia tour. Meanwhile, Victoria captain Will Sutherland is set to miss the opening round as he is still managing a back issue.