Australian great Nathan Lyon will return to domestic cricket this week after he was named by NSW Men’s Team selectors in a 12-player squad for the opening round of the 2024/25 Sheffield Shield against South Australia at Cricket Central.

Lyon’s inclusion in the squad alongside prodigious leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha gives Blues captain Moises Henriques the potential for a dual topline spin option, while quicks Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher and Jack Nisbet are also in the group.

Former Western Australian wicketkeeper/batter Josh Philippe will make his Sheffield Shield debut after more than 40 matches and two titles for WA. Philippe marked his permanent move east with a player of the match knock of 139 against his former side in the season’s One Day Cup opener at Cricket Central last month.

Nic Maddinson has also been named in a Blues Shield squad for the first time since the 2017/18 season as the veteran batter shoots for a return to Australia’s Test side after an almost eight-year hiatus.

Sean Abbott was not considered due to some hamstring soreness whilst on international duty with the Australian team in England but is tracking well for a return later this month. Experienced pair Chris Tremain and Jackson Bird were unavailable as they continue their return to play program, following minor off-season injuries.

Domestic playing opportunities for established Test stars Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are yet to be finalised, with some likely to be available play a part in NSW’s next Shield fixture starting on October 20 in Melbourne.

The match gets underway at 10.30am and is free for spectators or can be seen live on Kayo and cricket.com.au.

Spectators are reminded that part of Cricket Central’s northwestern boundary is a construction zone as part of the facility’s Stage 2 development, limiting the areas available for seating. For full spectator details, click here.

Sheffield Shield: NSW Blues vs South Australia – 10.30am on Tuesday 8/10 – Friday 11/10 at Cricket Central: Ollie Davies, Jack Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Moises Henriques ©, Sam Konstas, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Jack Nisbet, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha