Paine, Pattinson return for Shield

James Pattinson's bid for an Ashes berth looks set to resume this week after the speedster was named by Victoria to make his JLT Sheffield Shield return.

The Shield ladder-leaders have boosted their firepower in adding Pattinson to a 13-man squad to face NSW at Drummoyne Oval from Tuesday, with Peter Siddle also in line to return after missing Victoria's draw against Tasmania last week.

In a further boost to the competition, Test skipper Tim Paine will be back in action for Tasmania against Western Australia in Hobart after being rested last round.

Pattinson suffered a setback on the road to his stated goal of making Australia's Ashes squad later this year when he suffered a side strain during the Brisbane Heat's KFC Big Bash campaign.

The 28-year-old is on the comeback trail from major back surgery this season, taking nine wickets in four Shield games before the BBL break.

Victoria are hopeful he'll be able to play a major role in their tilt at a fourth title in five seasons.

"After James' setback during the BBL we had the vision of him making a return at the back end of the Shield season," said selection chief Andrew Lynch.

"He's obviously a quality player that has the ability to win matches, and he's coming in at a crucial time as we look to secure a spot in the final later this month."

NSW have named an unchanged 12-man squad in their top-of-the-table clash with the Vics, which will see in-form batter Nic Maddinson take on his former state.

The left-hander has smashed three centuries in his first three games for Victoria.

"I've been a big Nic Maddinson fan for a very long time, so it's great to see him doing well," Blues skipper Peter Nevill said.

"I've seen 'Maddo' play quite a lot – a lot of our guys have grown up with him, played with and against him. We've seen a lot of 'Maddo', we know how good he can be.

"It's really good to see him do well."

Along with Paine, paceman Alex Pyecroft is also back for Tasmania, who have axed Jarrod Freeman and Sam Rainbird.

Tigers opener Alex Doolan said the return of Paine, which is expected to see him take back the gloves from skipper Matthew Wade, would be a big boost for last season's runners-up.

"The national skipper is back. It's great," said Doolan.

"We've been playing really well as a group and to be able to bring back someone of that calibre is only going to add to it."

The Warriors have named an unchanged side to face the Tigers after defeating South Australia by six wickets at home last week.

Queensland's clash with South Australia begun Monday.

JLT Sheffield Shield, Round Nine:

Queensland v South Australia, the Gabba – March 11-14

Tasmania v Western Australia, Blundstone Arena – March 12-15

NSW v Victoria, Drummoyne Oval – March 12 – 15

NSW squad: Peter Nevill (c), Sean Abbott, Harry Conway Trent Copeland, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Nick Larkin, Stephen O’Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Jason Sangha, Greg West

Victoria squad: Travis Dean (c), Scott Boland, Andrew Fekete, Seb Gotch, Marcus Harris, Jon Holland, Nic Maddinson, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Chris Tremain, Cameron White

Tasmania squad: Matthew Wade (c),Gabe Bell, Jackson Bird, Alex Doolan, Jake Doran, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Tim Paine, Alex Pyecroft, Jordan Silk, Charlie Wakim, Sean Willis

Western Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Liam Guthrie, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, David Moody, Liam O’Connor, Joel Paris, Josh Philippe, D’Arcy Short, Sam Whiteman