Cricket fans will have plenty to look forward to when round four of the Sheffield Shield 2025-26 begins on Monday, with 14 of Australia’s 15 Ashes squad members in action across the country.
Fans set for rare Ashes preview in Sheffield Shield round four
Despite the packed international schedule, the upcoming Sheffield Shield matches provide a great opportunity for fans to watch some of the world’s best red ball players fine-tuning their preparations ahead of the Ashes series.
Chief selector George Bailey said the next Shield round provides selectors with valuable insight ahead of the first NRMA Insurance Men’s Ashes Test starting in Perth on 21 November.
After announcing Australia’s Ashes squad, Chief Selector George Bailey said:
"The squad gives us good balance and, with 14 of those chosen playing the next round of Sheffield Shield, we will look forward to gather information as we move closer to the start of the first Test."
The matches will feature Australia’s biggest names representing their state, alongside emerging talent pushing for opportunities.
Round Four Fixtures & Ashes Squad Players
New South Wales v Victoria (live and exclusive on Kayo Sports and Foxtel)
Sydney Cricket Ground | 10–13 November
Josh Hazelwood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Sean Abbott, Steve Smith (NSW)
Scott Boland (Victoria)
Tasmania v South Australia
Bellerive Oval | 10–13 November
Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster (Tasmania)
Travis Head, Alex Carey (South Australia)
Western Australia v Queensland
WACA Ground | 11–14 November
Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Brendan Doggett (WA)
Marnus Labuschagne (Queensland)
Australia squad for First NRMA Insurance Ashes Test:
Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Sean Abbott, Jake Weatherald.
Every match will be live streamed on Kayo Sports, cricket.com.au, and the CA Live app.
Sheffield Shield Playing Conditions are available here
Peter Roach, Cricket Australia’s Head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling said:
“It’s great to have 14 of our Ashes squad members involved in this round of the Sheffield Shield.
“Their presence lifts the competitiveness of the matches, gives players valuable time in the middle ahead of the first Test in Perth, and allows others to assess their level of skill against the very best.
“Fans can expect high-quality cricket as our Test stars fine-tune preparations for one of the biggest series we have seen on our shores.”
Fans can also experience the new MegaWall feature on cricket.com.au which allows them to watch every ball of all three Sheffield Shield matches on one screen with their free CricketPlus login.
Alex Lavelle, Executive General Manager, Digital, Marketing and Communications said:
“Our new MegaWall feature on cricket.com.au means that fans can choose to watch every ball of each match of the Sheffield Shield live simultaneously on one screen.
“All you need is a free CricketPlus login to ensure you can watch every moment of these highly anticipated Shield matches live wherever you are, as the buildup to the Ashes gathers pace ahead of the first ball in Perth on November 21.”
Official Nomenclature:
Sheffield Shield 2025–26
Stats from 2024-25:
Defending Champion: South Australia (defeated Queensland by 4 wickets)
Player of the final – Brendan Doggett (South Australia)
2024-25 Player of the Season – Fergus O'Neill (Victoria) 38 wickets and 345 runs
Top Run Scorer: Jake Weatherald (Tasmania) - 906 runs
Top Wicket Taker: Nathan McAndrew (South Australia) - 40 wickets
Most Dismissals: Jake Doran (Tasmania) – 43
Digital Stats Pack are available here
Complete Stats are here