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Shield squads: Lyon returns, WA name new skipper

All the selection news ahead of Round 2 of the Marsh Sheffield Shield season, with Australia's Test star headlining the inclusions

NSW Blues v Tasmania at Drummoyne Oval

October 18-21, 10:30am AEST

NSW have named a star-studded 13-man squad for Round 2 of the Marsh Sheffield Shield season, with star off-spinner Nathan Lyon to make his return in a sizeable boost.

Lyon was absent from the Blues’ five-wicket victory over Queensland last week following Australia’s Ashes and World Cup campaigns, but the 31-year-old has been picked for the match against Tasmania at Drummoyne Oval, starting on Friday.

Pacemen Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have again been rested ahead of Australia’s opening Test of the summer against Pakistan on November 21.

NSW have also named tweaker Steve O’Keefe and batsman Kurtis Patterson after they recovered from injury, while Nick Bertus and Liam Hatcher have made way. David Warner, Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc are again set to be in action for the Blues.

Warner compiled a magnificent 125 in the first innings against Queensland, rebounding from a forgettable Ashes series, while Smith made a duck and 21.

Warner blazes emphatic 125 in Shield return

Left-armer Starc, who played just one Test during the Ashes series, returned match figures of 1-129 in Brisbane, his sole wicket coming the second innings.

Lyon, who collected 20 wickets in five Ashes Tests, and O’Keefe will not have the chance to bowl on the spin-friendly SCG surface after the game was moved to Sydney's inner west because of concerns over the pitch at the Test venue.

Cricket NSW claimed the damage was done when the Sydney Roosters trained on the pitch square in the lead up to the recent NRL grand final.

The Marsh One-Day Cup match between the NSW and Tasmania on October 23, which was scheduled for the SCG, has been moved to North Sydney Oval.

Tasmania have made the trip north without spearhead seam bowler Jackson Bird, who has remained home for the impending birth of his first child. Jarrod Freeman comes into the squad with Test captain Tim Paine to again keep wicket.

NSW squad: Peter Nevill (C), David Warner, Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott, Harry Conway, Trent Copeland, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Nick Larkin, Stephen O’Keefe, Kurtis Patterson

Tasmania squad: Matthew Wade (c), George Bailey, Alex Doolan, Jarrod Freeman, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Lawrence Neil-Smith, Tim Paine, Alex Pyecroft, Sam Rainbird, Clive Rose, Jordan Silk, Beau Webster

Queensland v South Australia at the Gabba

October 18-21, 11am AEST

South Australia spearhead Chadd Sayers will also make his return to take on Queensland at the Gabba following a back injury.

Watch all of Chadd Sayers' 62 Shield wickets

The Redbacks, who recorded a draw against Victoria on a batting-friendly Junction Oval wicket in Round 1, will again be without Joe Mennie as he continues his recovery from a hamstring strain.

Allrounder Cameron Valente has earned a call-up after making unbeaten scores of 78 and 109 for Adelaide in the first two rounds of Premier Cricket.

Kane Richardson will be managed because of a heavy workload ahead of the upcoming Marsh One-Day Cup and T20 internationals, with Adam Zampa dropped.

Gold Coast paceman Xavier Bartlett is set to make his first-class debut for Queensland, the 20-year-old replacing Billy Stanlake, who will be sidelined as part of his on-going bowling management plan.

Stanlake, who was last week named in Australia's 14-man squad to face Sri Lanka and Pakistan in back-to-back Gillette T20 International series starting later this month, will play in next Wednesday’s Marsh One Day Cup game against the Redbacks at the Gabba before joining the national squad.

Bartlett picked up 4-42 for the Gold Coast against University of Queensland in Premier Cricket last week.

Queensland were also forced into a late change after Sam Heazlett broke his finger at training, with left-hander Bryce Street - who scored a record-breaking triple century in second XI cricket earlier this month - coming into the squad.

Queensland squad: Usman Khawaja (C), Xavier Bartlett, Joe Burns, Cameron Gannon, Charlie Hemphrey, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, James Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street, Mitch Swepson

South Australia squad: Travis Head (C), Wes Agar, Tom Andrews, Alex Carey, Tom Cooper, Henry Hunt, Jake Lehmann, Luke Robins, Chadd Sayers, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Nick Winter.

Western Australia v Victoria at the WACA Ground

October 18-21, 1:30pm AEST

WA have been forced to make two changes for their second match of the season, with Mitchell Marsh (broken hand) and Joel Paris (hamstring) dropping out of the side and Shaun Marsh taking over from his brother as captain.

The hosts have also called in fast bowler David Moody as cover for Paris, as well as allrounder Aaron Hardie for what would be his second first-class match.

Victoria have made a handy addition to their squad, with Test quick Peter Siddle named after missing their season opener due to injury. The veteran injured his hip in the fifth and final Ashes Test last month, but returns here alongside fellow quicks James Pattinson, Chris Tremain and Scott Boland. 

Western Australia squad: Shaun Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Matt Kelly, David Moody, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Marcus Stoinis, Sam Whiteman

Victoria squad: Peter Handscomb (c), Scott Boland, Aaron Finch, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Jon Holland, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Matthew Short, Peter Siddle, Chris Tremain

Every match of the 2019-20 Marsh Sheffield Shield season will be live streamed for free on cricket.com.au, the CA Live app and the Apple TV